What is Wet Brain?

What Is Wet Brain?

There is little doubt that excessive drinking can cause serious consequences. This is especially true for those diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD). AUD and other forms of substance use disorder (SUD) can bring about an array of negative physical and psychological consequences. One of the most damaging of those physical consequences is acquiring wet brain.

Understanding Addiction as a Disease

Alcohol use disorder or AUD affects millions of people every day and kills countless numbers of people every year. This is true both in the U.S. and around the globe. Yet many people are unfamiliar with what AUD (and other addictions) actually are. The reality is that AUD and other addictions are diseases.

Many people are under the misconception that AUD is some type of moral failing or purposeful “choice.” Ask anyone truly struggling with AUD and they will tell you that this is simply not the case. They lost the “choice” of drinking a long time ago and now drinking has become a necessity. 

AUD is a disease that has more in common with other chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease than it does with a choice. AUD is also a family disease. Now, you may be wondering, what exactly does this mean? That means that AUD affects everyone it touches, not just the individual who is struggling. AUD is like a tornado that destroys everyone and everything in its path without abandon. However, the good news is that, though the family may be the most affected, they also have the greatest chance of helping their loved one recover from alcoholism. The key is knowing the warning signs and symptoms to look out for.

The Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder

AUD has many distinct signs and symptoms. Tthe signs and symptoms are going to vary based on the individual, but there are some universal signs. The following are just a few of the signs and symptoms of AUD:

• Wanting to drink even when there will be consequences
• Drinking in the morning
• Having a drink before an important event
• Not being able to stop drinking once started
• Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
• Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
• Isolating away from family and close friends
• Experiencing trouble at work or school
• Loss of appetite and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and wellbeing
• Exhibiting excessive mood swings
• Causing harm to oneself or others
• Having suicidal ideations

When left unchecked, AUD can be deadly. This is why reaching out for professional help as soon as possible is vital. Doing so could mean the difference between experiencing short-term side effects and long-term consequences. It could also mean the difference in avoiding wet brain.

What Is Wet Brain?

While it may seem like a “funny” term, wet brain is very serious. Wet brain is a colloquial term for Wernicke-Korsakoff (WK) syndrome.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), “Wernicke-Korsakoff (WK) syndrome is a serious brain condition that is usually, but not exclusively, associated with chronic alcohol misuse and severe alcohol use disorder (AUD)… WK syndrome involves two different brain disorders that often occur together: Wernicke’s disease and Korsakoff’s psychosis. They result from brain damage associated with AUD, combined with vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency.”

How to Recover From Wet Brain

The good news is that there is a chance to recover from wet brain. The key is to catch it as early as possible.

It is important to treat wet brain with as many modalities as possible. This includes holistic healing methods like acupuncture and yoga therapy, experiential therapy like art therapy, and, especially, psychotherapies like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

Psychotherapy for Recovery From Wet Brain

Psychotherapies like CBT can be particularly effective because they get to the underlying cognitive and emotional issues related to AUD. This is important because wet brain can do serious cognitive and emotional damage.

CBT can also be particularly effective because it makes the individual an “active participant” in their own recovery. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Cognitive Therapy and Research, “Consistent with the medical model of psychiatry, the overall goal of treatment is symptom reduction, improvement in functioning, and remission of the disorder. In order to achieve this goal, the patient becomes an active participant in a collaborative problem-solving process to test and challenge the validity of maladaptive cognitions and to modify maladaptive behavioral patterns.”

The Phoenix Difference at The Phoenix Recovery Center

Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, we have a maxim known as the Phoenix Difference – “Empowering individuals and families suffering from addiction and mental health disorders, to celebrate life through lasting solutions.”

Anyone can recover, including those with wet brain. Success is waiting. We can help.

“Wet brain” is when someone is seriously deficient in thiamine (B1) due to their drinking. This can cause serious and long-lasting brain damage. This is why it is important to understand the effects of wet brain and how one can best recover after it occurs. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. To begin your healing journey complete this short form or call The Phoenix Recovery Center at (801) 438-3185.