In my family, all the close friends of my parents were known by “Aunt” and “Uncle.” Aunt Jean, a functioning alcoholic, was one of them. She was a blonde looker, likened to Marilyn Monroe and Jean Harlow, the latter being the original “Blonde Bombshell.”
But Aunt Jean had a sad life, hiding booze wherever she could find any space–like behind the breakfront, her dishwasher, and her clothes dryer, and going through two divorces from Uncle Ben and Uncle Steve. They both divorced her for her alcoholism. So much for “in sickness and in health,” a common marital vow.
Researchers have proven that people who experience traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are often intoxicated at the time of injury, and continued alcohol consumption afterward can lead to increased risk of seizures, even slower cognitive recovery, and further deterioration in motor and executive functions.
Alcohol directly damages brain cells by:
- Causing inflammation and oxidative stress
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Shrinking brain tissue, especially in the frontal lobes (judgment, memory, impulse control)
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Killing neurons and disrupting the connections between them
Alcohol and brain damage are a bad combination, whether you’re trying to prevent injury or recover from one. If you’ve had a stroke or TBI, avoiding alcohol can protect your brain’s healing and function.
Even moderate alcohol consumption can significantly worsen the outcomes of brain injuries by increasing both acute and long-term neurological damage. Heavy alcohol use interferes with absorption of Thiamine (Vitamin B1), crucial for brain function, deficiency can cause memory disorder, and B12, folate, omega-3s, and magnesium are important for nerve and brain well-being.
Chronic heavy alcohol use itself causes brain damage known as alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) or alcohol-related brain injury (ARBI). Some people with ARBD will only have small changes to their thinking and memory, known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD): what is it and who gets it? | Alzheimer’s Society
Alcohol also lowers levels of important neurotransmitters like Dopamine for motivation and focus, and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) which plays a crucial role in regulating neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system. GABA acts as a “brake” on neuronal firing, preventing overstimulation, and promoting a sense of calm.
In addition, alcohol provides for a greater risk of brain damage by slowing reaction time.
Also, it impairs judgment and coordination, resulting in falls, head injuries, or car accidents.
If you’ve already had a stroke or TBI, alcohol can:
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Worsen memory loss, confusion, depression, anxiety, and irritability
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Slow down brain recovery
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Trigger seizures, especially in people with brain scars
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Interfere with medications or blood pressure control (check with your doctor)
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Make it harder to rehabilitate and rewire the brain
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Even “moderate” drinking can cause setbacks in recovery.
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Raising blood pressure
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Causing irregular heart rhythms (like atrial fibrillation)
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Increasing clotting or bleeding risks, depending on your type of stroke
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If you’ve had seizures, confusion, or emotional instability since your injury, avoid alcohol completely.
Enough?
Does Any Amount of Alcohol Feel Safe?
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Small occasional amounts might be tolerated long-term but only under medical guidance.
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For most people with brain injuries: No amount is truly “safe”, especially during recovery.
Currently, scientists are investigating agents that not only target the underlying injury mechanisms but also offer neuroprotection against alcohol-induced damage. Combining cognitive therapy with lifestyle changes is a field that’s on the rise. They are developing new ways of abstinence or severe reduction in alcohol intake with the brain’s neuroplasticity during recovery also.
Aunt Jean wouldn’t have cared about the scientists and researchers. She died of cirrhosis of the liver, right beside a bottle of booze on her nightstand.
On this humongous holiday weekend that just passed and many more holiday weekends to come, when alcohol runs rampant, maybe this collection of ideas will touch a few of you who have injured brains. I sincerely hope so.
