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How Long Does It Take for Brain Chemistry to Return to Normal After Alcohol

A person can also experience brain fog from a fungal infection after inhaling a substance such as mold. If brain fog persists for several weeks, a person should contact a neurologist for assessment. Identifying the cause of brain fog enables doctors to treat the condition accordingly. The duration of a person’s brain fog will depend on its underlying cause. It can last days to years but typically resolves with treatment of its cause. Getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, and remaining nourished may also help reduce the risk of brain fog.

• It can cause acute inflammation in the brain, leading to cognitive brain fog-like symptoms such as memory problems, confusion, or forgetfulness.
• Unlike in other parts of the body, some nerve cells (particularly those in the frontal cortex and cerebellum) are not replaced once destroyed.
• Alcohol addiction recovery does not end once a person’s brain fog fades.
• You should ask your doctor to refer you to a counselor or therapist to help you quit drinking and deal with any emotional issues.
• That’s why it’s vital to consult a physician before you stop drinking in order to create a plan to stop drinking or taper down safely.

A 2020 study noted that alertness and impaired short-term memory may underlie reports of brain fog in people with POTS. About 70–80% of people with lupus experience brain fog at some point in their lifetime. Specific nutrients that can play a role in cognition and memory include vitamin B-12, iron, and Omega-3 fatty acids. A lack of some nutrients, such as magnesium, can also contribute to the development of mood disorders that can also lead to brain fog.

History of Brain Fog

You need sleep to help your brain work the way it should, but too much can make you feel foggy, too. To get good rest at bedtime, you may want to avoid caffeine and alcohol after lunch or right before bedtime and keep the computer and smartphone out of your bedroom. It also can help to get to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Talk to your doctor if you think your brain alcohol brain fog fog might be caused by a sleep disorder like apnea, insomnia, or narcolepsy. The first and most important thing to do is to see your doctor and share with them all of the lingering symptoms you are experiencing. Recently I received an email from a man who described how he is still struggling with “cognitive challenges” since recovering from the virus in the spring of 2020.

We can help through every step of the recovery process, from withdrawal symptoms to transitioning to an alcohol-free lifestyle. Your habits before you came to the treatment center can also contribute to brain fog. Many people with an alcohol addiction are malnourished, and it is possible that your body does not have the nutrients it needs for proper brain functioning. Your brain fog may also be another side effect of the symptoms that accompany withdrawal. For instance, insomnia might make it hard to think well during the day. Sometimes when people first stop drinking, they experience an extended period of “brain fog” or increased emotional instability.

How Long Does It Take for Brain Chemistry to Return to Normal After Alcohol

Dopamine plays an essential role in mood and neurodevelopmental disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Since alcohol disrupts dopamine production and usage, drinking can lead to either an exacerbation in symptoms or the development of mood disorders. Another way that alcohol can affect the brain is by reducing its size. Our brains naturally shrink as we age, but heavy drinking and binge drinking can exacerbate those effects. Also, thinking takes much more effort than we realize, with our brains using about 20% of our total calories consumed. If you’re not eating well and getting enough nutrition for your body and brain, you’re going to have a much harder time concentrating and feeling inspired or rewarded.

While they are in the program, they should drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food. But someone can make a full recovery and start withdrawing from alcohol. The key is to practice a few different remedies and get help from licensed alcohol treatment counselors. In https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcohol-addiction-treatment-how-to-make-alcohol-recovery-sustainable/ this Special Health Report, Harvard Medical School doctors share a six-step program that can yield important and lasting results. From simple and specific changes in eating to ways to challenge your brain, this is guidance that will pay dividends for you and your future.