Alcohol abuse over the long term has been shown in many brain imaging studies to actually, physically shrink the region of the brain that commands learning and memory. The shrinkage is more extensive in the cortex of the frontal lobe, which is known to be the center of higher intellectual functions, and of course this shrinkage will increase with continued alcohol use and age. Short-term memory loss is usually the first noticeable sign of alcohol related damage.

Progressive brain shrinkage was shown in a study that conducted periodic imaging in alcoholics over a five year period. The amount of brain shrinkage was directly related to the amount of alcohol consumed, but there was no question that the shrinkage far exceeded anything in the normal range.

Any alcoholic who drinks larges amounts of alcohol over a long period of time is a candidate for alcohol related brain damage. How extensive the damage is depends on the system of the drinker, the type and amount of alcohol consumed, and diet that accompanies the chronic drinking.

Brain damage can also be furthered by the nutritional problems that are associated with drinking. Malnutrition is often the result of excessive drinking and can affect the brain. Vital areas of the brain are damaged due to vitamin deficiencies, thiamine in particular. Alcohol creates increased toxicity levels in the body even after alcohol use which damages vital to include not only the brain, but also the liver, pancreas and kidneys.

The central nervous system also falls victim to the effects of alcohol.

If caught early enough, much of the alcohol damage can possibly be reversed and can sometimes disappear entirely. This reversal can be best supported by a complete abstinence from alcohol, an improved diet and by taking vitamins, especially B1 and thiamine. In addition, there is a vitamin called milk thistle that can ever help restore liver functions.