While the effects and consequences of drinking alcohol are well-documented, as a society we don’t always pay enough attention to the medical conditions that can develop as a result of prolonged or chronic alcohol use and abuse.

One of the more serious alcohol-related conditions is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, commonly known as “wet brain.” This syndrome, which can affect both physical and cognitive functioning, is actually a combination of two separate but related disorders: Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis.

When left untreated, “wet brain” can be life-threatening. But when caught early enough, it can be treated. That’s why early detection, along with knowing the signs to look for, is so crucial.

Keep reading to learn more about Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, its connection to alcohol abuse, and the steps that can be taken toward recovery.

What is “Wet Brain”?

“Wet brain” is a non-medical term used to describe Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is a neuropsychiatric disorder that is actually a combination of two disorders. When these two disorders combine to form “wet brain,” it is the result of a deficiency in thiamine, or vitamin B1. It is essential for the brain’s energy metabolism and nerve function.

Symptoms of “Wet Brain”

When Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis combine to form “wet brain,” this can produce severe and potentially life-threatening symptoms. Due to the severity of these symptoms, it is crucial that Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is detected early on so that treatment can begin immediately.

The stages of “wet brain” are typically divided into symptoms for the two separate conditions, Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis. Each of these conditions come with their own sets of symptoms.

Wernicke’s encephalopathy is the acute phase of “wet brain,” and can manifest with sudden severe symptoms. These may include:

• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Lack of coordination
• Involuntary eye movements
• Double vision

If at this point, these symptoms are treated, a full recovery is possible. However, if these symptoms are left untreated, Korsakoff’s psychosis can develop. This may result in:

• Severe memory loss
• Apathy
• Confusion
• Long-term brain damage
• Coma
• Death, in some extreme cases

The Connection Between Wet Brain and Alcoholism

While we have established that prolonged alcohol use and abuse can lead to “wet brain,” it’s important to understand how it occurs.

When a person drinks, the alcohol interferes with the body’s ability to absorb and utilize thiamine effectively. Drinking in excesses or regularly abusing alcohol can not only interfere with thiamine absorption and utilization, it can also directly interfere with the body’s ability to store thiamine in the liver.

Thiamine is water-soluble, meaning it can dissolve in water and does not stay in the body for an extended period of time. Chronic alcohol use can actually speed up the process in which thiamine leaves the body, with no new ways of replenishing it. Mixing alcohol with unhealthy foods can further speed up the deficiency process, especially since, in addition to alcohol abuse and alcoholism, “wet brain” can also be the result of severe malnutrition.

Other Health Risks Associated with Alcoholism

It’s also important to remember that while Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is a severe symptom of excess alcohol use, it is hardly the only one. Alcohol abuse and addiction come with numerous health risks that can operate in tandem with Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome.

Physical Health Risks

Over an extended period of time, alcohol can wreak havoc on the body, leaving the person suffering from a number of different ailments, including:

• Liver Disease: The liver is particularly susceptible to damage from excess alcohol consumption, which can lead to fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Over time, the liver’s ability to detoxify the blood decreases, leading to potential liver failure.
• Heart Disease: Excessive alcohol can increase blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, elevating the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions.
• Pancreatitis: Chronic alcohol use can inflame the pancreas, leading to pancreatitis. This painful condition can interfere with digestion and even cause life-threatening complications.
• Gastrointestinal Disorders: Alcohol irritates the lining of the digestive tract, contributing to ulcers, acid reflux, and increased risk of gastrointestinal cancers.
• Nerve Damage: Prolonged alcohol abuse can cause peripheral neuropathy, where nerves outside the brain and spinal cord become damaged. This can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in extremities.

Mental Health Risks

In addition to physical health complications, alcoholism is frequently linked to mental health disorders such as:

• Depression and Anxiety: Chronic alcohol use can worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety, creating a vicious cycle as people often drink to self-medicate these symptoms.
• Psychosis: In severe cases of alcohol abuse, individuals may experience alcohol-induced psychosis, characterized by hallucinations and delusions. These psychotic symptoms may occur during withdrawal.
• Sleep Disorders: Sleep disturbances are extremely common in individuals who struggle with alcohol dependence. Although alcohol initially acts as a sedative that may help individuals fall asleep, it can disrupt REM sleep in particular. Over time, this may lead to insomnia or fragmented sleep (which can worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety).
• Impaired Cognitive Functioning: Long-term alcohol abuse impacts cognitive abilities, including memory, attention, and decision-making. Many people struggling with alcoholism may experience alcohol-related brain damage, which can manifest as memory lapses, difficulty focusing, and impairments similar to dementia.
• Increased Risk of Suicide: Alcoholism is often a contributing factor in suicidal ideation, as it can heighten feelings of despair and hopelessness. Individuals who struggle with alcoholism may be more likely to consider or attempt suicide, and the risk only increases when co-occurring mental health disorders are present.

Signs of Alcohol Addiction

With “wet brain” so closely linked to alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction, recognizing the signs associated with alcohol addiction can not only be valuable for early intervention (and avoiding the worst of symptoms) but also avoiding other negative consequences of alcohol addiction via addiction treatment.

Below are some of the signs to look out for if you or someone you know may be struggling with alcohol:

• Increased tolerance: Needing to drink more and more to “catch a buzz” or get drunk is consistently a sign of dependency and addiction.
• Loss of control: Drinking more than planned, being unable to cut back or stop drinking despite attempts to do so, or finding yourself in risky situations due to drinking are all signs of a larger drinking problem.
• Continued use despite consequences: Similar to loss of control, not being able to stop drinking even though you know the negative impact that alcohol has on your health, finances, relationships, etc. can be a sign of addiction.
• Neglecting responsibilities: Someone suffering from addiction may find themselves unable to fulfill daily responsibilities and obligations, such as going to work or school.
• Withdrawal symptoms: If you are suffering from alcoholism and go an extended period of time without drinking, whether it’s by choice or not, you will begin to suffer from withdrawal symptoms. These may include sweating, shaking, nausea, and in severe cases, delirium tremens (DTs). DTs are particularly dangerous, as they can lead to seizures, hallucinations, and even death without medical intervention.

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the above signs, it is important to seek professional help. Making any attempt to quit “cold turkey” can be incredibly dangerous and even deadly, due to alcohol’s impact on the nervous system. Undergoing medical detox under the care and monitoring of medical professionals is not only the safest method, but also the most effective.

Heal From Alcoholism and Wet Brain at Principles Recovery

While detoxing is a crucial first step in the recovery process, it can be part of a larger, comprehensive plan that addresses the physical and psychological components of addiction. This is what best increases the chances of long-term recovery from alcohol addiction.

At Principles Recovery, we understand the complicated nature of recovering from not just alcohol addiction but all the ways it can affect a person’s well-being. We offer programs to help you every step of the way, from detox to treatment to even relapse prevention programs. We have treatment programs specifically designed for adolescents and teens, to better speak to their needs.

At Principles Recovery, we are dedicated to providing a safe, compassionate environment where individuals can reclaim their health and rebuild their lives. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, our team is here to help you find a path forward. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help start you on your recovery journey.