One of the lesser known dangers of long-term alcohol abuse is a debilitating disorder called wet brain.
What Is Wet Brain?
Wet brain is an informal term for a potentially life-threatening neurological condition that results from deficient levels of thiamine, or vitamin B1. The clinical term for wet brain is Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome. It is also often referred to as WK syndrome or WKS.
Regardless of which term is used to describe it, wet brain involves the progressive occurrence of two distinct conditions:
- Wernicke’s disease: Sometimes called Wernicke encephalopathy, this disorder affects muscle control, eye movement, and cognition.
- Korsakoff’s psychosis: Also known as Korsakoff syndrome, this condition is characterized by impairments in learning and memory.
Research indicates that WK syndrome affects about 1%-2% of the adult population in the U.S., with the onset of symptoms typically occurring after age 30.
Symptoms of Wet Brain
People who develop wet brain first develop Wernicke’s disease. If they don’t receive appropriate treatment, the disorder can progress to Korsakoff’s psychosis.
Early symptoms of wet brain/Wernicke’s disease include:
- Confusion and disorientation
- Difficulty maintaining balance
- Impaired muscle coordination
- Unsteadiness while walking
- Tics and tremors
- Abnormal eye movements
- Drooping of the eyelid
- Double vision
During this initial stage of WKS, people may also experience abnormal heart rate and low blood pressure.
If Wernicke’s disease progresses to Korsakoff’s psychosis, additional symptoms can include:
- Profound disorientation
- Memory loss and inability to form new memories
- Hallucinations
- Uncharacteristic outbursts of anger or agitation
- Lack of focus or attention
- Persistent fatigue or lethargy
- Low motivation
At this stage of wet brain, people may also exhibit a symptom called confabulation. This is the unintentional creation of false memories to replace the memories that were never created. Though someone with late-stage wet brain may appear to be making up stories or lying, these are actually unconscious actions taken by the brain to fill in memory gaps.
Can Drinking Alcohol Cause Wet Brain?
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), long-term alcohol abuse is the primary risk factor for wet brain.
Other potential causes of this condition include anorexia, AIDS, cancer, kidney failure, excessive vomiting, and having either bariatric or gastrointestinal surgery. However, the NIAAA notes, wet brain is “far less prevalent” among people with these risk factors than it is among people who are addicted to alcohol.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that WKS may occur eight to 10 times more often in people with alcohol use disorder (alcoholism) than among the general public. Other sources suggest that as many as 80%-90% of people with untreated alcohol use disorder will develop WKS, though many of these individuals will never be accurately diagnosed.
The common element between chronic alcohol abuse and these other risk factors is malnutrition. One of the many negative effects of poor nutrition is that it degrades the body’s ability to absorb thiamine from food. Over time, this dysfunction can lead to the thiamine deficiencies that cause wet brain.
Does Wet Brain Ever Go Away?
Treatment may be able to reverse the onset of wet brain if the patient is diagnosed while they are in the early stages of Wernicke’s disease.
At this level, patients may receive injections of supplemental thiamine and be placed on a more nutritional diet, with an emphasis on proper hydration as well.
If an individual reaches the level Korsakoff’s psychosis before they get treatment, their care may focus more on slowing the progression of symptoms and helping them develop better coping skills.
Supplemental thiamine, nutrition, and hydration will also be key components of treatment at this stage, along with therapeutic support and skills development sessions. At later stages of Korsakoff’s psychosis, many patients need residential care.
Regardless of which types of wet brain symptoms a person has been exhibiting, cessation of alcohol use is crucial.
How to Minimize the Symptoms of Wet Brain
The best ways to avoid wet brain are to follow a healthy diet plan, maintain proper hydration, and refrain from excessive alcohol use.
It’s important to emphasize that Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome has not been linked with moderate drinking. This condition is most common among people who have become addicted to alcohol.
If you have developed alcoholism, it may be difficult – or even dangerous – for you to quit drinking on your own. But when you get effective help from a reputable addiction rehab center, you can end your alcohol use and establish a foundation for a more hopeful future in recovery.
Remember: You don’t have to wait until you’ve developed wet brain or incurred some other type of potentially irreversible harm before you can benefit from treatment. The belief that you have to “hit rock bottom” before you can make meaningful changes in your life is simply a myth.
The sooner you make the courageous decision to get help, the sooner you can start to live the healthier and more satisfying life you deserve.
Take the Next Step and Begin Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
Renewal Health Group offers a full continuum of customized services for adults who have developed alcohol use disorder and other forms of addiction. We also serve individuals whose struggles with compulsive substance use are accompanied by certain co-occurring mental health concerns.
When you choose one of our three alcohol rehab centers in southern California, you will have the opportunity to work in close collaboration with a team of highly skilled addiction professionals. Depending on the full scope of your unique needs, your treatment can include detoxification, residential programming, and several levels of outpatient care.
When you’re ready to get started, the Renewal Health Group team is here for you. To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.
Published: 10/29/2024
