- A study has found that quitting or cutting back on drinking can improve brain health.
- Those who reduced their drinking to a low-risk level had less brain shrinkage.
- The authors suggest that cutting back may be a more doable goal for people with AUD.
- Some will be able to cut down on their drinking through strategies like mindfulness.
- Others, however, may benefit from professional help.
A new study published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research indicates that, for people with alcohol use disorder, even reducing alcohol consumption can be helpful when it comes to brain health.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a brain disorder characterized by an inability to stop or control your alcohol use even though it is having a negative effect on your relationships, your health, or your work life.
In the study, they found that when people with AUD either reduced their alcohol intake or quit drinking completely they had greater volume in particular regions of the brain than people who drank more heavily.
Additionally, when they returned to a low-risk level of drinking — no greater than three drinks per day for men or 1.5 drinks for women — the volume of these brain regions more closely resembled that of people who did not drink at all.
The authors suggest that, given the difficulty of quitting entirely, cutting back alcohol consumption may be a more doable goal for some than complete abstinence.
Cutting back on alcohol use improves brain health
To conduct their study, the researchers collected data from 68 people aged 28 to 70 who had AUD.
The participants were matched with a control group of 34 people of a similar age who were either non-drinkers or light drinkers.
To judge the health of their brains, the team used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to compare the volume of the cortex in various regions of their brains.
They looked at those who entered treatment and either stopped drinking; resumed drinking, but at low-risk levels; or resumed drinking at higher-risk levels.
About eight months after they began treatment, the higher-risk drinkers had significantly less volume in 12 out of 13 regions when compared with the controls.
Low-risk drinkers had less volume in nine of the 13 regions.
People who did not drink at all had less volume in six of the 13 regions.
The researchers further found that higher-risk drinkers had less volume than non-drinkers in four specific frontal regions as well as the fusiform and precentral cortical regions.
Low-risk drinkers, on the other hand, had significant differences from non-drinkers in the precentral and rostral middle frontal cortex.
The authors note that the frontal regions of the brain play several important roles, including decision-making, emotional regulation, and working memory. Less volume in these regions could make people less able to perform these functions.
How alcohol use can shrink your brain
Dr. Daniel Atkinson, GP Clinical Lead at Treated, explained that although research doesn’t show that drinking can destroy brain cells, it can lead to shrinkage.
This particular study, he noted, shows that even moderate alcohol consumption can cause the hippocampus, which is associated with learning and memory, to reduce in size over time.
“This could be, in part, because the hippocampus is an area of the brain with a unique and
delicate structure,” he said, “where new neurons are constantly being created through neurogenesis.”
According to Atkinson, previous studies have shown that high levels of alcohol consumption can interfere with this process.
Atkinson further explained that long-term alcohol use might also cause shrinkage because alcohol is a diuretic and causes water to be removed from your body.
“If this water isn’t adequately replaced, it can cause dehydration,” he said.
“This effect would be mostly seen across the whole brain though,” he added, “whereas the recent study shows hippocampus shrinkage most predominantly, suggesting that neurogenesis inhibition plays a bigger role in the reduction of brain size.”
How to reduce your alcohol consumption
Ashley Loeb Blassingame — a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Relapse Prevention Specialist, and Interventionist — had several tips for cutting back on your alcohol consumption.
Engage in mindful drinking
“Pay attention to the amount and frequency of your alcohol consumption,” she said. “By being more conscious, you can make deliberate choices about when and how much to drink.”
To aid you in becoming more aware of your drinking, she recommends using smartphone apps like Sunnyside or Reframe to track your consumption.
She also suggests joining a peer-support community like Lionrock.life where you can gain support and advice from other people who are also working to reduce their drinking.
Stay well-hydrated throughout the day
“Often, we mistake thirst for the urge to consume alcohol,” she said. Drinking water between alcoholic beverages can also help you slow down your alcohol consumption.
Seek out non-alcoholic alternatives
These can “provide the ritual of a drink without the alcohol content,” said Blassingame. “Herbal teas, sparkling waters, and mocktails can be excellent alternatives,” she added.
Set yourself a predetermined limit
Before attending events where alcohol might be served, set the intention that you will only drink a certain amount.
“Stick to it, and enlist a friend or accountability group to help keep you accountable,” she said.
“Finding help when reducing intake becomes challenging,” Blassingame concluded. “For many, reducing or eliminating alcohol isn’t a straightforward journey. It’s okay to seek help if you find this process overwhelming.”
How to get help if you are having difficulty cutting down
Michelle English, LCSW, Co-Founder and Executive Clinical Manager of Healthy Life Recovery, said there are many places where you can get support if you are trying to limit your alcohol consumption.
“A qualified therapist or counselor who focuses on addiction and substance abuse is one option,” she noted.
“They can offer tailored support and direction for lowering alcohol consumption.”
For example, they might help you with creating coping mechanisms for handling triggers or help you deal with any underlying problems you have that encourage binge drinking, she explained.
English said it could also be helpful to talk to either an individual or a group of people about your experiences with attempting to cut back on your drinking.
“For those trying to cut back on their alcohol consumption, support groups can offer both emotional support and accountability,” she said.
“The intention is for individuals to experience support and a sense of community on their journey toward healthier drinking habits,” said English.
Takeaway
Research suggests that both quitting and cutting back on your alcohol consumption can provide benefits for your brain by reducing the amount of shrinkage in certain regions.
While quitting altogether provides the greatest benefit, the authors say that even cutting back to a low-risk level can help and may be a more achievable goal for those with AUD.
Self-help strategies like mindful drinking may help some people reduce their intake. However, professional help is available for those who need it.
Drinking Alcohol Can Shrink Your Brain. Cutting Back or Quitting Can Help It Regrow
Source: Pinoy Lang Sakalam
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