What Triggers Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol Addiction & Korsakoff Syndrome

Korsakoff Syndrome is a serious memory disorder brought by lack of vitamin B1 or thiamine deficiency.  It is common among people with alcohol addiction.

Vitamin B1 is essential for the brain to process sugar into energy. Deficiency of this vitamin then hampers this function. As it is known caused by alcohol abuse, AIDS, poor nutrition and infection can also trigger this memory disorder.  

Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome are two common memory conditions that occur due to deficiency in vitamin B1. Korsakoff syndrome, or Korsakoff psychosis, follows Wernicke encelopathy.

Korsakoff syndrome or Korsakoff psychosis is the damage to the parts of the brain responsible for memory. Wernicke encelopathy is the condition in the brain caused by damage in the lower parts of the brain, including the hypothalamus and thalamus.

Korsakoff Syndrome Symptoms:

• Loss of memory
• Inability to form new memories
• Making up stories / confabulation
• Seeing or hearing things that are not existing /hallucinations

Korsakoff Syndrome Causes:

Studies have not confirmed yet how the condition damages the brain. Researches can only conclude that thiamine deficiency causes imbalance of the biochemicals in the brain that are important for the formation of new memories.

Almost all cases of Korsakoff Syndrome are caused by alcohol addiction or severe alcohol problem.  Scientists have yet to conclude how the syndrome can affect selected individuals while others remain safe from developing the disorder.

Other known causes of the syndrome include poor nutrition, anorexia, fasting starvation, stringent dieting, weight-loss surgery, AIDS, cancer, uncontrolled dieting, kidney dialysis, or chronic infection.

Diagnosis:

There is no single test that can detect Korsakoff syndrome. It is due to the fact that its symptoms overlap with other conditions related to alcohol abuse, withdrawal, head injury or those with infections. It is recommended that people admitted for alcohol-related conditions be tested for memory loss or other cognitive changes. 

Treatment:

It is recommended that heavy drinkers and those with alcohol addiction take thiamine supplements in order to prevent the development of Korsakoff Syndrome. Experts also suggest that people with a history of heavy alcohol use, who have symptoms linked with Wernicke encephalopathy should receive thiamine injections. 

After the acute symptoms have been detected and treated, patients should be assessed for any signs of Korsakoff syndrome. Medical professionals will be evaluating their alcohol use, medical history and memory problems.

People who developed the syndrome should be given with oral thiamine, magnesium and vitamins in order for the symptoms to improve. For those diagnosed with alcohol addiction, they should receive treatment and give up alcohol completely.

Those who developed the syndrome, the success rate of recovering is still under study. Available researches have shown that only 25 percent had recovered. The ones who recovered from the syndrome have longer life expectancy if they abstain from alcohol.