Alcoholic Organic Brain Syndrome Symptoms & Treatment

Continuing to drink despite clear signs of significant impairments can result in an alcohol overdose. An alcohol overdose occurs when there is so much alcohol in the bloodstream that areas of the brain controlling basic life-support functions—such as breathing, heart rate, and temperature control—begin to shut down.

Symptoms of alcohol overdose include mental confusion, difficulty remaining conscious, vomiting, seizure, trouble breathing, slow heart rate, clammy skin, dulled responses such as no gag reflex (which prevents choking), and extremely low body temperature. Alcohol overdose can lead to permanent brain damage or death. [1]

Korsakoff syndrome is most commonly seen in the context of chronic alcohol abuse and is thought to be on the spectrum with Wernicke encephalopathy, however, Wernicke encephalopathy is acute and often reversible while Korsakoff syndrome is chronic and may be irreversible. [2]

Korsakoff syndrome is a chronic neuropsychiatric syndrome that is caused by the deficiency of thiamine, also known as vitamin B1. This deficiency leads to damage to multiple areas of the brain, which in turn causes amnesia and confusion.

Causes and Risk Factors

Korsakoff syndrome usually results from a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1), which may be caused by:

• Unexplained changes in personality or character
• Lying without realizing it
• Abnormal eye movement
• Decreased or abnormal reflexes
• Fabricating stories
• Memory loss
• Muscle weakness
• Problems with motor movement and coordination
• Loss of speech

• Difficulties learning
• The trouble with complex problem-solving
• Getting lost on familiar paths
• Difficulties completing simple tasks, like following a cooking recipe
• Confusion regarding the place or time the person is in
• Problems appropriately stringing sentences or words together

• Sensitivity to Sensory inputs (lights, sounds, touch, etc.)
• Disorientation
• Severe Confusion, Fear, or Agitation
• Visual and Auditory Hallucinations

• Persecutory Delusions (the sensation of being chased)
• High Blood Pressure, Temperature, and Pulse
• Mood Swings

Alcoholic Organic Brain Syndrome Diagnosis

Alcoholic organic brain syndrome is a clinical diagnosis representing a physician’s best judgment about the cause of a person’s symptoms. There are no specific laboratory tests or neuroimaging procedures to confirm that a person has this disorder. The syndrome may sometimes be hard to identify because it may be masked by symptoms of other conditions common among those who misuse alcohol, including alcohol intoxication or alcohol withdrawal, infection, or head injury.

Detox

Withdrawal from alcohol is an important first step to overcoming your alcohol-related problems. However, withdrawal isn’t an effective treatment by itself. You’ll need further treatment and support to help you in the long term.  [7]

There are two significant signs of alcohol addiction:  tolerance and withdrawal.  Alcohol addiction is a dangerous condition because it can ultimately become life-threatening.  So, alcohol detox allows the body to eliminate all alcohol in the body and return to its usual functioning.  An individual who has been struggling with a moderate to severe alcohol use disorder (alcohol addiction) has a significant likelihood of developing withdrawal symptoms and could benefit from the help of a detox program.

The longer and heavier the drinking, the more prolonged and more severe detox will be.  For this reason, going through the process sooner than later, and getting help, is critical to recovery.

Once fully admitted and evaluated, the 2nd stage of detox gets underway:  stabilization.  Based on the data provided during the admissions process, patient feedback, and the symptoms observed;  our experienced team of medical addiction professionals will provide care to keep the patient stable and as comfortable as possible.

Alcohol detox can be dangerous, mainly if you do it without the help of a professional.  Because delirium tremens and other withdrawal symptoms that may afflict the detoxing patient are hazardous and fatal.  Therefore, it is advisable to detox in a rehab center to access qualified professionals who can manage comfortable alcohol detox and withdrawal complexities.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a widely used treatment for alcohol abuse and addiction to help individuals identify negative thought patterns, emotions, and problematic behaviors and learn how to make healthy lifestyle changes that decrease the urges to drink alcohol and use other substances; paying particular attention to symptoms of psychosis, depression, and other co-existing mental health-related problems or dual diagnosis that are exacerbated by stress.

Counseling Services

Individual, group and family counseling services are offered in the majority of mental health and substance abuse treatment programs to “get to the root of the problems”, improve communications and relationships, and motivate the abuser toward positive changes. . The structured guidance of a counselor helps the patient stay on track and in the right perspectives as they strive to achieve their potentials and goals of recovery.