Teen Treatment: Addressing Alcohol Problems Among Adolescents Reducing Underage Drinking NCBI Bookshelf

Although professional training and credentials arevitally important, positive, caring staff attitudes are alsoimportant in connecting adolescent clients to the treatment process(Drug Strategies,2003). At times, motivation to participate is a major barrierfor adolescents, who often have other priorities. Forexample, to explain the step of powerlessness, the therapist reviewseveryday occurrences to explore what adolescents can control andwhat they cannot. Some Twelve Step programshave tailored the individual steps to adolescent experiences. For example, some programs give teen clients disposablecameras to take photos of friends and families, which then become abasis for generating group discussion.

• It has also been connected to various mental conditions, depending on the substance used.
• It is not unusual for teens and young adults to struggle with addiction, but they often have unique needs when it comes to treatment and recovery.
• Programsshould institute a process of continuing care that includes relapseprevention, training, follow-up plans, referrals to communityresources, and periodic check-ups after completing treatment inorder to help teens avoid recidivism.
• Teen detox, where a substance is cleared from the body, provides patients with medical care, detox medications, and other symptomatic/supportive medications, if necessary.
• The Twelve step approach, also known as the Minnesota Model and Twelve StepFacilitation, is highly structured and involves detoxification,psychological evaluation, general and individualized treatmentplanning, group therapy, lectures, and individualized counseling(Winters,1999).
• Physical withdrawal is uncommon for adolescentsunless opiates or barbiturates have been the principal substances ofabuse and dependence.

Of thoseadolescents who reported having both a sexual abuse history andalcohol abuse or dependence, 68 percent were females (Clark, Lesnick, andHegedus, 1997). A study comparing the incidence of trauma inadolescents with alcohol abuse and dependence to a control groupfound that adolescents with alcohol abuse or dependence were 18 to21 times more likely to have a sexual abuse history. Often female substance abusers andthose who are dependent on alcohol and other drugs have beensexually abused. Addressing specific problems with family, school,or the juvenile justice system will help an adolescent stay engaged.Research shows that involving parents in therapy produces betterengagement rates for adolescents, which may result in bettertreatment outcomes (Dakof, Tejeda, and Liddle, 2001). In addition, programs need to use creative, hands-on techniques tomake activities relevant to adolescents’ concerns and developmentalstages. This research informsreaders about the prevalence of alcohol and drug use in any given age group,the effects of alcohol and drug use on development, possible methods oftreatment, and the results of selected treatment programs.

Family risk factors for teenagers developing drinking problems include What are the symptoms of alcohol abuse in teens? This stage may also include the teenager buying alcohol or other drugs or stealing to get their drug of choice. The third stage involves a youth further increasing the frequency of alcohol use and/or using alcohol and other drugs on a regular basis. Other studies have shown that alcohol use tends to increase with age during adolescence, with older teens more likely to drink and engage in heavy or binge drinking. According to data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in the United States, alcohol is the most frequently used drug by teenagers.

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Various keywords used under TiAb of PubMed advanced search were Stimulants, “Drug abuse”, “Psychotropic substance”, “Substance abuse”, addiction, and Adolescents, teenage, children, students, youth, etc., including MeSH terms. In India, alcohol and tobacco are legal drugs frequently abused and pose significant health risks, mainly when the general populace consumes them. According to the 2013 Global Burden of Disease report, drug addiction is a growing problem among teenagers and young people. Because alcohol and illegal drugs represent significant issues for public health and urgent care, children and adolescents frequently visit emergency rooms . When getting treatment for alcohol abuse, rehab may be inpatient rehab for teens or outpatient rehab for teens, depending on the needs of the patient. Substance use can have a significantly negative impact on the developing brain of a teenager, and early drug abuse raises the risk of a substance use disorder in adulthood.

The study ofadolescence and brain developmentwith regard to alcohol use can be very helpful in preventing alcohol use disorder. The relationship between alcohol and impulse control is important because a person that has strong control of their impulses will be more likely to reject alcohol when offered or stop their use of alcohol. While genetics can play a role, there are also other important factors affecting the difference between abstinence or alcoholism. Research has continually shown that certain genetic factors may play a role in how vulnerable a person is to developing substance use disorders. Adolescent fertility rate MENA 2022, by country and age group

ADHD & Anxiety Disorders

Substance abusers and those who aredependent on alcohol and other drugs are a significant burden to health care andlaw enforcement systems. Alcohol abuse and dependence are often linked with drug abuse anddependence among teenagers. Without treatment, youth who drink excessively as teenagers are more likely to become problem drinkers than adults. Facts about the societal risk factors for adolescent alcoholism include peer pressure and the portrayal of teen drinking in the media.

Other statistics that may interest you

Teenagers in Maine are 43.40% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in Louisiana are equally as likely to have used drugs in the last month as the average American teen. Teenagers in Kentucky are 13.81% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in Kansas are 3.58% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in Indiana are how to make yourself pee 4.39% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in Illinois are 13.56% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

The particular mental behavior that mediates the link between childhood trauma and adult suicidal ideation and attempts is yet unknown. Moreover, most individuals with Substance Use Disorders begin using substances when they are young . Furthermore, recreational drug use is a neglected contributor to childhood morbidity and mortality . Drug usage is on the rise in many Association of Southeast Asian Nations, particularly among young males between the ages of 15 and 30 years .

Many adolescents experience academic problems and developmentaldelays as a result of alcohol and drug abuse and dependence. Treatment services provided tochildren of alcoholics and other drug users may be distinctlydifferent from treatment services provided to those who do not havea situation in which other family members abuse and are dependent onsubstances. SAMHSA leads public health and service delivery efforts that treat mental illness, especially serious mental illness, prevent substance abuse and addiction, and provide treatments and supports to foster recovery while ensuring access and better outcomes for all.

Teenage pregnancy

• That’s an awful lot of youth who could be changing their brains — and their lives — forever.
• In addition to having been the founding and Chief Medical Officer at The Recovery Village, he has also been the medical director at The Recovery Village Ridgefield and at The Recovery Village Palmer Lake.
• Motivationalenhancement techniques and motivational interviewing are importantand clearly have to be a part of engagement (Barnett, Monti, and Wood, 2001;Winters,1999).
• When answering the question “why do teenagers drink alcohol”, the most common reason is because they think that the perceived benefit of drinking alcohol is greater than the possible consequences or risks.
• Parent’s drinking behavior and attitude towards alcohol plays a large role in a teen’s decision to start drinking.
• Moreover, most individuals with Substance Use Disorders begin using substances when they are young .
• While some parts of rehabs for teens near me will be the same as a facility for adults, there may also be some unique aspects as well.

From the research about treatment and counseling, there are several importantlessons about what key elements are important for treating alcohol abuse anddependence among adolescents (see Box 15-1 for summary). Although it is crucial for adolescent treatment programs to bedevelopmentally appropriate according to the specific needs of youth,few states require in their certification standards that counselors haveany specific knowledge or experience in treating adolescents. In contrast to adults, whotend to relapse because of negative affect or personal distress,adolescents appear to relapse more often as a result of peerpressure; it is also more difficult to successfully treat teens whobelieve that drinking alcohol will help with social interaction(Brown,1990). In addition, adolescent substance abusers and those whoare dependent on alcohol and other drugs are often involved with thecriminal justice system. Therapeutic communities (TCs) are a social-psychological form of treatment for addictionsand related problems with a focus on resocializing those who attend.To date, TCs have been used in the United States only to treatadolescents with the most severe substance abuse and dependenceproblems.

External Risk Factors for Teen Alcohol Abuse

In the United States, more than 90% of adults who have a substance use disorder (SUD) began their substance use in adolescence. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Few medications are effective in treating alcoholism. In severe cases, alcohol intoxication can also lead to alcohol poisoning, which is a do police dogs smell nicotine potentially life-threatening condition.

Teenagers in Mississippi are 8.48% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in Minnesota are equally as likely to have used drugs in the last month as the average American teen. Teenagers in Michigan are 5.27% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in Massachusetts are 25.26% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in Maryland are 9.76% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Treatmentproviders, often funded by the health care system, should coordinatewith all settings in which teens in need of treatmentinteract—school, home, family, peer group, and where appropriate,the criminal justice system and the workplace. A comprehensive, integrated treatment approach ensures that theprogram addresses all of an individual teen’s treatment needs, whichmay include addressing mental health problems, family dysfunction,learning disabilities or school failure, and physical healthconcerns. Drug Strategies (2003) how to tell if someone is on crack signs and symptoms learn more has released aguide to teen treatment that can help agencies, professionals, andparents begin the process of identifying promising treatment facilitiesto meet the needs of adolescents.

Reducing Underage Drinking: A Collective Responsibility.

It is important to know that there are many reasons teens drink alcohol. According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimatednine percentof American adolescents aged 12 to 17 were current drinkers, meaning they had at least one drink in the past 30 days. This statistic depicts the U.S. pregnancy rate among teenagers from 1973 to 2020, by age group.

Ketamine Effects: After- & Short-Term Effects of Ketamine

Ketamine, used in a medical setting for depression and pain management, can have significant side effects. Its unique properties make it an excellent choice for emergency anesthesia, conscious sedation, pain relief, and treatment-resistant depression. In case of ketamine overdose, the doctor may use active charcoal with gastrointestinal detox. The healthcare professional may monitor the drug overdose. Some people use ketamine drugs in combination with cocaine and marijuana. The emergency drug treats pain, mood disorders, depression, migraine, people with epilepsy, and sexual assault.

Emergency Response to Ketamine Overdose

Aside from its medical use as an anesthetic, ketamine is prescribed by some healthcare providers as an alternative treatment for severe depression. This article also discusses other ketamine effects, how it can be used to treat certain mental health conditions, signs of a ketamine overdose, and how to get help. The article is about the ketamine drug, its medical use, ketamine toxicity, causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.

• It is commonly used as an anesthetic in major and minor surgical procedures.
• When used recreationally, it is found both in crystalline powder and liquid form, and is often referred to by users as “Ket”, “Special K” or simply “K”.
• Common symptoms of an overdose of ketamine include impaired coordination, slowed or shallow breathing, nausea, vomiting, confusion, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment from reality.
• Four cases have also been reported from the palliative care setting linking analgesic ketamine use with LUTS (91, 92).
• If you or someone you know is faced with a ketamine use disorder, The Recovery Village Ridgefield can help.

This competition blocks the effects of ketamine andallows the patient to regain consciousness and normal functioning. However, it has also been found to be effective in reversingthe effects of ketamine. It works bybinding to the same receptors in the brain that ketamine targets, effectivelyblocking its effects. The reversal agent for ketamine is a medication that can counteract theeffects of ketamine and Liquor storage ideas bring the patient back to a normal state. This could be dueto an adverse reaction, an overdose, or the need to quickly regainconsciousness after a procedure.

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Low oral bioavailability of ketamine is due to the first-pass effect and, possibly, ketamine intestinal metabolism by CYP3A4. It is biotransformed by CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 isoenzymes into norketamine, which, in turn, is converted by CYP2A6 and CYP2B6 into hydroxynorketamine and dehydronorketamine. After absorption ketamine is rapidly distributed into the brain and other tissues.

Ketamine is used as a dissociative anesthetic by many healthcare professionals to induce the loss of consciousness. Get started on your recovery right now with our free rehab locator tool, where you can find addiction treatment facilities that take insurance, inpatient rehabs, outpatient rehab programs, and much more. This is often the stage where relapse (going back to using a drug) happens, but with support and the skills learned in treatment, you can reduce the risk of this happening. Counseling can help you to resist the lure of the high and find healthy ways to relax and enjoy yourself without turning to drug use.

Deaths attributed to ketamine in the absence of other drugs of abuse are uncommon. For reference, standard anesthetic doses in a clinical setting are typically well below 10 mg. Ketamine overdose symptoms are dose-dependent. If you are dealing with a ketamine addiction, you will need professional help to manage the physical and psychological effects of your addiction. However, if you have abused ketamine for a non-medical use, it can harm your health, and you need to seek urgent medical help. In addition to its medical use, ketamine has also been a drug of abuse.

The intensity of side effects depends on the dose of ketamine. Ketamine overdose may be fatal in some people, including those who smoke, intake of caffeine, and drink alcohol. Ketamine overdose can cause various health complications.

There is evidence from beyond the recreational use setting linking ketamine with urological pathology. Ketamine pretreatment doubles its hepatic microsomal metabolism in rats, and both the catalytic activity and protein expression of the rat microsomal cytochrome P-450 system is enhanced by repeated daily ketamine administration (83, 84). Anecdotally, ketamine use in humans is characterised by binging, the drug being repeatedly used until a user’s supply has been exhausted (78, 79). It is not 2c-b alcohol and drug foundation certain how ketamine causes these effects, but antagonism of the NMDA-R is thought to be important, as is dopaminergic depletion in the prefrontal cortex (3, 26, 69). Superstitious conditioning, a form of associative learning, is also more common amongst frequent ketamine users and this process may precede outright delusional thinking (67). A dose-dependent relationship was reported on 1-year follow-up, with frequent users being more delusional than infrequent, abstinent, and non-users, respectively (66).

Recreational use of ketamine and its risks

This drug has been linked to conditions like depression, hysteria, memory loss, and high blood pressure in regular users. We’ll be examining the symptoms to look out for, and factors that can increase the risk of developing a dependence or addiction to ketamine. While ketamine isn’t the most fatal of substances when used alone, developing an addiction to this drug can greatly affect quality alcohol intolerance after covid of life. States participating in the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System and participating state agencies, including state health departments, vital registrar offices, and coroners and medical examiners offices; Julie O’Donnell, Lauren Tanz, Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC. Despite the lack of uniform testing, ketamine detection among overdose deaths has increased over time, yet both detection and involvement accounted for a small proportion of overdose deaths.

Being oblivious to concussions, deep cuts, or broken bones, people using ketamine may ignore their wounds -leading to permanent damage, infection, or secondary injuries. Ketamine may also be cut with other drugs. Ketamine is a dissociative drug. However, your doctor may prescribe medications to treat symptoms of other conditions you are also experiencing, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.

Psychological Symptoms of Ketamine Overdose

Other k-hole symptoms include marked confusion, unexplainable experiences, floating sensations, and mind/body dissociation. Learn what a k-hole is and the symptoms people experience in this state. When someone has “fallen into a k-hole” (the slang term for this ketamine effect), they are temporarily unable to interact with others or the world around them. A “k-hole” is how it feels when you take a high enough dose of ketamine that both your environmental awareness and bodily control become very impaired. Ketamine disrupts communication between specific brain regions, inducing a trance-like/dissociative state while providing pain relief, sedation, and amnesia. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic widely utilized in medicine since its development in the 1960s.

Notes from the Field: Ketamine Detection and Involvement in Drug Overdose Deaths — United States, July 2019–June 2023

• Ketamine toxicity management is necessary to prevent life-threatening complications.
• Ketamine has been suggested as a possible therapy for children with severe acute asthma who do not respond to standard treatment.
• To date, there have been three retrospective case series (n≥10) published, covering 93 patients reporting chronic urological effects in long-term recreational ketamine users (see Table 4) (86, 93, 94).
• It is the drug of choice for people in traumatic shock who are at risk of hypotension.
• Global reports of ketamine seizure rose from negligible amounts in 1999 to over 11 metric tonnes in 2007, with nearly all of this in East and South-East Asia, where ketamine seizures exceeded that of heroin (41, 42).
• People who use ketamine on a long-term basis may develop a tolerance to the drug or become dependent upon it.

Possible biochemical mechanisms of ketamine’s antidepressant action include direct action on the NMDA receptor and downstream effects on regulators such as BDNF and mTOR. Pore blocking of the NMDA receptor is responsible for the anesthetic, analgesic, and psychotomimetic effects of ketamine. Naltrexone potentiates psychotomimetic effects of a low dose of ketamine, while lamotrigine and nimodipine decrease them.

Before we dive into the reversal agent for ketamine, let’s first understandwhat ketamine is and how it works. By Elizabeth PlumptreElizabeth is a freelance health and wellness writer. Getting support from friends, family, and professional facilities can assist you in overcoming your addiction and living your life free of substances. Addiction can negatively impact quality of life, physical health, mental well-being, and relationships.

Paying for Treatment

However, changes in 11C raclopride binding may be due to changes in dopamine concentrations induced by ketamine rather than binding of ketamine to the D2 receptor. Imaging studies have shown mixed results on inhibition of striatal 11C raclopride binding by ketamine in humans, with some studies finding a significant decrease and others finding no such effect. Early research by the Philip Seeman group found ketamine to be a D2 partial agonist with a potency similar to that of its NMDA receptor antagonism.

Ketamine, in the form of esketamine, is approved in the United States for treating treatment-resistant depression. At sufficiently high doses, users may experience what is called the “K-hole”, a state of dissociation with visual and auditory hallucination. The discovery of antidepressive action of ketamine in 2000 has been described as the single most important advance in the treatment of depression in more than 50 years. These investigations demonstrated ketamine’s short duration of action and reduced behavioral toxicity made it a favorable choice over phencyclidine (PCP) as an anesthetic. Blood or plasma ketamine concentrations are usually in a range of 0.5–5.0 mg/L in persons receiving the drug therapeutically (during general anesthesia), 1–2 mg/L in those arrested for impaired driving, and 3–20 mg/L in victims of acute fatal overdosage.

Understanding Why Alcohol Causes Brain Fog: The Science Behind Cogniti

Some participants joined at the 1 month mark, meaning 23 individals didn’t have scans taken at 1 week, and only 40 of the total 88 continued to abstain from alcohol for the full period. “However, the extent of regional cortical thickness recovery over an extended period of abstinence (e.g., greater than 6 months) is unknown.” We have more than 120 years of combined experience helping people just like you move past addiction. Take the next step in your recovery with the help of Nextep. You’ll begin to develop new hobbies that further enhance your brain functioning and help to increase your happiness. Your experience should be similar, and you can always ask the staff at the treatment center if your challenges with thinking are normal.

PICTURE YOUR RECOVERY PATHWAYWITH ONCE-MONTHLY VIVITROL® AND COUNSELING

To store and retrieve new information, the brain relies on acetylcholine, which plays an essential role in forming neural connections. We have identified the key factors to look for in a top-notch cognitive health supplement and how you can spot the scams. Some people receiving VIVITROL treatment have had a type of pneumonia that is caused Vivitrol Injection Guide by an allergic reaction. Tell your family members and people closest to you that you are taking VIVITROL. There are significant risks from VIVITROL treatment, including risk of opioid overdose, severe reactions at the injection site, sudden opioid withdrawal, liver damage or hepatitis.

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The heavy consumption of high-alcohol drinks is more likely to cause alcohol poisoning. When the liver is not able to filter this poison quickly enough, a person can develop signs of alcohol poisoning or alcohol overdose. Alcohol also destroys brain cells and contracts brain tissue. Alcohol begins affecting a person’s brain as soon as it enters the bloodstream. Whether you’re ready to begin treatment or just want more information, we’re here to help you move forward. Starting the recovery process is a big decision, but you don’t have to do it alone.

Sometimes this leads to suicide, or suicidal thoughts, and suicidal behavior. Call 911 or get emergency medical help right away in all cases of known or suspected opioid overdose, even if naloxone is administered. Meet Evan and learn about his recovery journey. Watch personal stories from others in recovery and their experiences with VIVITROL. Learn more about once-monthly VIVITROL, how it works, and how it may help you reduce your drinking along with counseling.

What are the Stats On Rehab and Recovery?

Moderate alcohol use may not mean the same thing in research studies or among health agencies. Here’s a closer look at alcohol and health. The evidence for moderate alcohol use in healthy adults is still being studied. Many people drink alcohol as a personal preference, during social activities, or as a part of cultural and religious practices.

How Can You Reduce Brain Fog After Quitting Alcohol

Alcohol consumption contributes to 2.6 million deaths each year globally as well as to the disabilities and poor health of millions of people. In this context, it is easy to overlook or discount what is an alcoholic nose drinkers nose the health and social damage caused or contributed to by drinking. Drinking moderately if you’re otherwise healthy may be a risk you’re willing to take. When it comes to alcohol, if you don’t drink, don’t start for health reasons. When taking care of children, avoid alcohol. In the United States, people younger than age 21 are not legally able to drink alcohol.

• When alcohol is removed, the brain struggles to recalibrate.
• However, a combination of a healthy lifestyle and a well-rounded cognitive health supplement can keep your mind sharp and help recapture the focus, concentration, and mental clarity you had years ago.
• Our high standards attract well-known behavioral health professionals from across the country who are frequently referenced by institutions like NAMI, Fox News and Psych Central.
• An overdose of alcohol affects the brain’s ability to sustain basic life functions.
• For example, it may be used to define the risk of illness or injury based on the number of drinks a person has in a week.
• One potential solution is to increase physical activity, which can help improve blood flow to the brain and promote mental clarity.

Using guided eye movements, EMDR helps your brain reprocess painful memories—so they lose their power and stop triggering emotional distress. EMDR is a powerful, evidence-based therapy that helps people break free from the grip of past trauma. We approach detox with the clinical precision it requires — monitoring your health 24/7 to reduce withdrawal symptoms with evidence-based protocols. Covered by all major health insurance companies to keep any costs low.

It’s important to understand their medical history, as well as their social, family and cultural lives.” In addition Buspirone effects to primary care, his medical specialties include general and vascular surgery. The fulfillment she gets from talking to her patients reinforces her belief that she chose the right career. He enjoys working with the elderly, counseling them on care, treatment options and preventive medicine. She provides the education, resources and support that her patients need to stay active and healthy. She is compassionate about patients of all ages, but seniors hold a special place in her heart.

“So, when we talk about possible so-called safer levels of alcohol consumption or about its protective effects, we are ignoring the bigger picture of alcohol harm in our Region and the world. Globally, the WHO European Region has the highest alcohol consumption level and the highest proportion of drinkers in the population. Despite this, the question of beneficial effects of alcohol has been a contentious issue in research for years. “We cannot talk about a so-called safe level of alcohol use.

The US study found those who quit drinking gain cortical thickness over time, faster in the first month and continuing over 7.3 months, at which point thickness is comparable to those without AUD. Are you ready to start feeling like you used to before alcohol took over your brain? This is also a great time to take advantage of the various programs offered at your treatment center. You can begin to find ways to cope with any coexisting mental health conditions, and you can also begin to create a plan for long-term sobriety.

At GateHouse Treatment, we understand how deeply alcohol can affect your body and independence. Our culture normalizes and even glamorizes drinking. But for many people, meaningful improvement is absolutely within reach. This damage can result in severe short-term memory loss and other significant cognitive impairments. Additionally, heavy drinking can lead to a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, which may damage parts of the hypothalamus, potentially due to broken blood vessels in that region.

• When not working I enjoy… working on my chili pepper and tomato garden with my family and creating delicious meals with them and for them.
• Chronic alcoholism is frequently linked to brain shrinkage or atrophy, as highlighted by research published in the scientific journal Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica.
• When she’s not working, Sukhvinder enjoys spending time with family, traveling, camping, and cooking.
• The risks increase largely in a dose-dependent manner with the volume of alcohol consumed and with frequency of drinking, and exponentially with the amount consumed on a single occasion.
• Heavy drinking also may result in alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
• I appreciate the entire staff for all they done and would recommend this facility to anyone in need of care.

Jillian Simon has spent over 15 years focused on improving geriatric services with an emphasis on patient centered care. That passion has taken him through leadership roles in Tennessee government, McKinsey consulting, and most recently Evolent Health. Robert is an experienced managed care leader and was most recently the CEO of On Lok, the originator of the PACE model of care. Dr. Cheryl Phillips is CEO of the Special Needs Plan Alliance, a national association for Medicare-Medicaid plans serving vulnerable adults.

One of the most damaging effects of alcohol is its neurotoxicity — the ability to poison and kill brain cells. So if you’ve ever blamed poor concentration or forgetfulness on stress or lack of sleep, and you also drink, alcohol might be playing a larger role than you realize. “Brain fog” is one of the most common complaints from people who drink heavily or who are recovering from alcohol use disorder (AUD). In other words, the effects of alcohol on the brain aren’t just temporary. Over time, it can cause lasting harm to your brain, changing the way you think, feel, remember, and even move.

While the risk is low for moderate intake, the risk goes up as the amount you drink goes up. More on alcohol Global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol

Becky Kuhn has been working with seniors since 2011 and is dedicated to providing quality medical care and improving the health of her patients. While giving up alcohol is an important step towards improved health, seniors may face new challenges related to “brain fog” or mental confusion. If you or someone you care about is dealing with alcohol brain fog, memory loss, or signs of cognitive decline, it’s essential not to ignore them.

It’s not just a feeling — it’s the brain’s way of signaling that something is off. Alcohol is a neurotoxin — a substance that disrupts the brain’s delicate communication system. Long-term use can result in structural changes in the brain, exacerbating these effects. Alcohol affects cognitive function by disrupting neurotransmitter systems, leading to impaired memory, attention, and decision-making abilities. However, many individuals experience significant recovery after a period of sobriety. It is often temporary and can be influenced by various factors, including alcohol consumption.

Helping seniors maintain their independence and quality of life can provide a strong sense of purpose and fulfillment.” “I love working with seniors because seniors are often grateful for the care and attention they receive. Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, she worked as a hematology and oncology nurse at City of Hope and a medical and surgical oncology nurse at Eisenhower Medical Center. When she’s not working, she enjoys time with her family, taking her kids on trips and reading a good book. This experience instilled in her a deep desire to pursue a career in medicine, aiming to give back to the community and ensure quality care for those who need it most.

Alcoholic beverages are classified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and increase the risk of several cancer types. Alcohol as an intoxicant affects a wide range of structures and processes in the central nervous system and increases the risk for intentional and unintentional injuries and adverse social consequences. Disadvantaged and especially vulnerable populations have higher rates of alcohol-related death and hospitalization.