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While the damage you can inflict on your brain with heavy alcohol use is disturbing, it is entirely possible to experience recovery from addiction and begin to heal from the inside out. The early days of sobriety can be draining and challenging for anyone recovering from addiction, but a balanced and healthy brain will return, and with it, a sense of heightened motivation towards positive goals. Alcohol is a widely consumed drug that affects the brain and body in various ways. When consumed, it passes through the bloodstream and reaches the brain, where it can alter neurotransmitter levels and brain chemistry. The consequences of alcohol on the brain can range from mild impairment to severe damage, depending on the frequency and amount of consumption. Please keep in mind that symptoms may vary in severity, and you may not experience the full list below.
These first few weeks are critical, because they are when the risk of relapse is highest. Prior to withdrawal, it’s important to have a plan of how you will abstain from alcohol during this time. It is rare, but some people will experience a very serious syndrome during alcohol withdrawal, called delirium tremens. When someone drinks alcohol for a prolonged period of time, their brain chemistry changes. Alcohol is a depressant, so the body responds by producing more stimulating chemicals, including the neurotransmitters dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
Cravings, Stress, and Staying Sober
Every year more than one-and-a-half million people in the United States either enter alcoholism treatment or are admitted to a general hospital because of medical consequences resulting from alcohol dependence. These patients and many others who stop drinking without seeking professional treatment experience alcohol withdrawal brain fog. Alcohol withdrawal is a clinical syndrome that affects people accustomed to regular alcohol intake who either decrease their alcohol consumption or stop drinking altogether.
The first phase in the rehabilitation process is detoxification, which entails eliminating all remnants of alcohol from the body. This can take several days or weeks, depending on the severity of the addiction. During this time, individuals may experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, tremors, and seizures. Medically supervised detoxification can help manage these symptoms and ensure a safe and successful recovery. For many, life after alcohol requires an ongoing commitment to sobriety and a healthy lifestyle.
How Fast Does the Brain Recover After Quitting Alcohol?
If you want to learn what it is that makes this form of brain fog occur as well as how to address it before the issues become even more present, this guide is the perfect place to start. People in recovery continue to report the benefits of not drinking https://curiousmindmagazine.com/selecting-the-most-suitable-sober-house-for-addiction-recovery/ alcohol after 13 days of abstinence. “Now that most of the physical symptoms have gone away, time to work at staying sober. This is usually where I mess up and drink because I am feeling better and think I can handle it. I know I can’t.”
Do you get brain fog when you quit drinking?
Yes, brain fog is a common symptom of alcohol withdrawal and may continue for a while afterward. Brain fog can make you feel far from your best self. You may have trouble concentrating, remembering names, or focusing. Your thoughts may race or lag, and you may feel mentally fatigued.
The imbalanced neurotransmitters caused by alcohol disrupt the communication between neurons, leading to brain fog. Alcohol can also impede the brain’s glucose production, an essential source of energy for brain cells, leading to cellular malfunction and cognitive impairment. Better Addiction Care understands that the issues related to this condition can be difficult to understand and even more difficult to address due to the taboo nature of addiction to alcohol. Our team of expert resources providers are here to provide help by giving information that could make seeking proper treatment easier.
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While you will have been working through the issues that affect your addiction during the brain fog, you will get a renewed chance to focus even more on getting better. Alcohol can damage the brain, but most cases of brain fog do not come from brain damage. Once the brain adjusts to alcohol use, it requires alcohol in order to function properly. Someone who cuts themselves off from drinks may experience extreme pain or medical problems like delirium tremens. 47% of COVID-19 patients who have prolonged symptoms experience brain fog.
