Cognitive Malfunction after 20+ years of Alcohol Abuse

Question

I am 4 months sober after 20 plus years of alcoholism. Sometimes now I get in the car to go somewhere and then halfway through the ride I forget where I am going and I can’t remember so I just drive around for a while until I remember or sometimes I just go back home. This is scary because I am only 42 and I feel like I have alzheimers. Can you tell me that this is a normal experience to be having because of recovery?

Jeannie Cameron, LMHC · Accepted Answer

20 years of alcohol abuse is substantial. After a prolong period of ingesting a toxic substance in your body, esp. The caustic solvent of alcohol, the body will inevitably change drastically and not for the better. Because prolong use of alcohol exacerbates the aging process and changes the brain chemistry, we must respect the brains fragility. Just like a car or any other sophisticated system, feeding it a consistent supply of substances meant to break down "known for it's solvency" will erode all areas of the body it comes into contact with, including and deleteriously - the brain, of which alcohol immediately affects, and all areas affected by the brain "mission control" becomes compromised.

I invite you to read the following information that will educate you further on the negative effects of alcohol and other invaluable information.

A Timeline for the Restoration of Cognitive Functions

Jeannie Cameron, MS, NCC, LMHC

239-732-5959

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