Alcoholics are more susceptible to developing mental illness than the rest of the population. People who abuse alcohol are also at a much higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease than anyone else. A small percentage of alcoholics who arrive in an alcohol treatment center (or drug rehab) show the signs of a brain disorder known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome used to be thought of as two seperate diseases that are now seen as two phases of the same condition. The first phase of the syndrome, Wernicke’s encephalopathy, causes the alcoholic patient to be confused. Patients in this phase of the illness may struggle to walk properly and lack coordination. They are often not able to participate in an alcoholism addiction treatment program in this phase of their illness and may require a medically supervised alcohol detoxification (detox).
In the more advanced phase of the illness, Korsakoff’s syndrome, the confusion lifts and the alcoholic seems to be recovering. The patient may still have some level of disorientation with respect to time and place and normally struggles with short-term memory.
During their alcoholism treatment program patients sometimes fill the gaps in their memory (to avoid embarressment and fear) with imaginary stories. This is known as confabulation and isn’t usually thought of as lying. A substance abuse counselor will work with the alcoholic and unpack why he/she needs to make up the stories. It is a very scary position to be in having just gotten sober and being unable to remember things.
A large injected dose of Vitamin B1 (thiamine) can alleviate some of the symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Early treatment is thought to be associated with better outcomes – leaving the illness to progress for too long can result in permanent damage. Physicians in an alcohol rehab facility will assess the prognosis for the alcoholic and be able to assist in treating the patient.
In very rare cases the brain becomes so damaged that is no longer able to assimilate new information and the alcoholic can only remember events prior to the damage. This condition is commonly referred to as “wet brain” and is not usually reversible. In this case some alternative to alcoholism treatment might be considered as the client would struggle to benefit from being in a rehab clinic.
Wernicke-Korsakoff’s Syndrome, often associated with alcohol addiction, is critical in addiction treatment and rehab. It comprises two conditions: Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis. Wernicke’s encephalopathy is a brain disorder resulting from thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, commonly due to alcohol-related malnutrition, causing symptoms like mental confusion, vision problems and lack of muscle coordination. Korsakoff’s psychosis is a memory disorder featuring confusion, disorientation and difficulty in learning new information, often leading to amnesia, tremors and even coma.
This syndrome predominantly affects men between 30 and 70 years with cases in women and younger people usually resulting from non-alcohol-related causes. Symptoms are debilitating, including severe memory loss, difficulty concentrating, balance issues and hallucinations. Historically, the syndrome was identified in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by Carl Wernicke and Sergei Korsakoff.
Treatment involves thiamine replacement, proper nutrition and hydration. Early detection and treatment can reverse most symptoms of Wernicke’s encephalopathy but memory recovery is typically slow and incomplete. Without treatment, the condition can be disabling and life-threatening.
Clinical trials play a vital role in improving care for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome with a focus on learning more about the disorder and exploring new treatments. In addiction treatment, addressing this syndrome is crucial with interventions including medical treatment, nutritional support and psychoeducation.
The exact mechanisms causing Korsakoff syndrome are not fully understood but it’s known that severe thiamine deficiency damages brain cells, leading to bleeding and scar tissue. Genetics and poor nutrition may increase susceptibility. Besides alcohol misuse, it can also be associated with other conditions like anorexia, chronic infections and cancer.
Symptoms of Korsakoff syndrome include severe memory problems with relatively unaffected social skills. Patients might confabulate or hallucinate due to the disorder.
Founded in 2008, WeDoRecover has evolved from an advisory service for addiction treatment into a comprehensive provider of care, following its 2019 merger with Changes Addiction Rehab in Johannesburg. Specialising in connecting patients to top-tier addiction treatment centers in the UK, South Africa and Thailand, WeDoRecover supports individuals globally, including those from the United Arab Emirates and Europe. Accepting both South African medical aid and international health insurance our organisation facilitates access to high-quality treatment for substance and alcohol use disorders, offering individualised care that addresses the physical, mental and social needs of patients.
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