Alcohol and dementia risk highlighted by Alcohol Concern

Alcohol Concern have released a new factsheet highlighting the risks of dementia from heavy drinking.

Download Alcohol & Dementia facthsheet [pdf].

The factsheet reviews the evidence on heavy drinking and the most common forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. Although the relationship between alcohol and dementia is debated, Alcohol Concern say it is clear is that long term alcohol use can damage the brain and lead to cognitive impairment.

The factsheet highlights:

• Alcohol is a neurotoxin and can cause damage to nerve cells and blood vessels, leading to brain shrinkage.
• Drinking alcohol earlier in life may substantially increase the risks of developing early-onset dementia (before the age of 65).
• Frequent drinking in young adults is the biggest risk factor for men who develop early-onset dementia outweighing a family history of dementia, use of other types of drug or suffering from any other health condition.

Dr Tony Rao, consultant and old age psychiatrist, said:

“Alcohol is now a direct cause for an increasing number of people with dementia in the UK. Whereas in previous years, we have seen alcohol related brain damage confined to memory problems that remain stable over time, this has now extended to seeing a growing population of people with more widespread and progressive problems."

Curiously the factsheet uses the term 'alcoholics' when citing one study, despite the source study referring only to dependent drinkers. Professionals in the field, and indeed Alcohol Concern, typically avoid referring to 'alcoholics' owing to the negative connotations and contested 'disease model' interpretation of alcohol dependence. 

Last year Alcohol Concern Wales released a report which said alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) was poorly understood by the public and many healthcare professionals, with improved detection and pathways needed. A report by a number of Royal Colleges, Alcohol and brain damage in adults was also released, calling for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to support services that provide specialist care for patients with ARBD.