Managing Dementia And Alcohol Abuse

Do you know excessive drinking over a period of time can cause alcohol-induced dementia? When a person with an alcohol abuse history develops cognitive disorders, like dementia or Alzheimer’s, it becomes a challenging situation for the family and treatment providers. The worst thing is, it creates safety concerns for both the person and the caregiver.

Alcohol Abuse Crises Are Plaguing The Country

A study published in JAMA painted a vivid picture of the drinking patterns among 40,000 Americans. And the results are chilling. 

• One in every eight Americans struggles with alcohol abuse disorder.
• As of 2017, around 30 million Americans were struggling with alcohol abuse.
• Alcohol use disorder increased to about 84% among women.
• The highest alcohol abuse disorder was seen among the senior citizens of age 65 and above. It was a shocking 106.7% increase from 2002-2003 to 2012-2013.

Furthermore, a 2018 study says that chronic drinking is a major risk factor for all types of dementia. Out of the total 57,000 cases of early-onset dementia (that develops before 65), 57% of cases were due to alcohol abuse. 

As alcohol abuse continues to skyrocket among senior Americans, this health issue will likely grow. So, how do you manage alcohol-induced dementia?

Manage Dementia And Alcohol Abuse

When a person has developed dementia, participating in an alcohol detox program or receiving treatment from inpatient rehab Boston doesn’t appear to be a realistic option. The reason is, dementia damages the brain cells, destroying a person’s ability to make the right decisions or adopting healthy habits.

What makes alcohol-induced dementia even more challenging is the fact that the person can’t remember how much they drank. All the skills needed to function independently are gone, and the person starts neglecting nutrition, health, or hygiene. 

Thus, for someone who has been drinking for a long time, abandoning alcohol quickly seems impossible. But, below are a few things that can help you manage dementia and alcohol abuse-

Early Treatment Is The Key

If you manage to catch the early signs of alcoholic dementia, getting treatment from alcohol detox in Boston is the best bet. Contact Boston rehab facilities to know how and when you can start the treatment and search for drug rehab near me Boston. 

When the symptoms are caught early, you can send your loved ones to the alcohol rehab center in Boston with little effort. Once the treatment is complete, they can be shifted to an inpatient rehab where there is no access to alcohol.

Clear Out Your Home Of Alcohol

If a senior citizen in your family has alcoholic dementia, make sure to remove alcohol from your home. Remember to consult with the adult’s doctor before you restrict access to alcohol so that they don’t experience any unintended side effects. 

Take Proper Safety Measures

Hide any sharp objects, weapons, toxic cleaning liquids, etc., to prevent any mishap. Disable the car, or remove the car keys to avoid impaired driving. A person with both dementia and alcohol use disorder may become aggressive or violent at times. 

Thus, if you think that the situation is beyond your control, it’s time to seek professional help. It may include counseling, therapy, inpatient rehab, online consultation, or support groups.

Get Help From Professionals

The older adult in your family won’t tell you why they drink. Instead, you can get clues from the way they do or say. If you think that there is an emotional issue, talk to a psychiatrist or a therapist to determine the issue. 

You can contact dementia or Alzheimer’s organizations to know more about alcohol-induced dementia. Talk to alcohol rehab facilities and ask if there are any programs for people with dementia and alcohol use disorder.