Get Help What is wet brain? Answered by Dr. David Zoeller M.D. 9 FACT CHECKED Learning more about problems associated with alcohol use, such as wet brain syndrome is important to properly understand what issues and treatment options are available to those who are dealing with substance abuse issues. Before we take a look at the many treatment options and modalities that are available to help people, let’s first understand what wet brain syndrome is, how it occurs, and the treatment options for this syndrome. What We Know About Wet Brain Syndrome Wet brain syndrome, also referred to as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a brain disorder that occurs due to vitamin B1 deficiency. This happens all too often among people who have an alcohol problem as alcohol use disorder is something that causes a lack of vitamin B1. This problem occurs when two different conditions, Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome, happen concurrently. Both of these problems are due to brain damage that is caused by a lack of vitamin B1. Wernicke Encephalopathy Wernicke Encephalopathy is a neurological condition that can be a life-threatening illness that affects the central nervous system. It is a degenerative brain disorder that can result from alcohol abuse, dietary deficiencies, prolonged vomiting, eating disorders, and more. Symptoms for this problem include mental confusion, vision problems, coma, hypothermia, low blood pressure, and more. Korsakoff Syndrome Unfortunately for those who deal with Wernicke Encephalopathy, Korsakoff Syndrome is one residual effect of this problem. The problem is characterized by global amnesia and cognitive and behavioral dysfunction. Other symptoms include loss of memory, hallucinations, and more. Can Wet Brain Be Treated? The good news is that those who suffer from wet brain syndrome do not always experience all associated symptoms. When a person experiences Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, what actually happens is that Wernicke’s encephalopathy develops into Korsakoff’s psychosis over time. Those who enter residential alcohol detox early enough may catch wet brain syndrome while it is still in the Wernicke’s stage, thereby preventing the worst of their symptoms with immediate treatment. Symptoms directly related to thiamine deficiency will begin to reverse with proper medical care. Severe brain damage will be harder to treat, so those who enter residential detox in the initial stages of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome may wish to choose a dual diagnosis facility with experience treating mental disorders. Can Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome be prevented? Not drinking or drinking in moderation and getting enough nutrition significantly reduce the risk of getting Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. If a heavy drinker does not quit, thiamine supplements and a good diet may reduce the chance of getting this condition, but it does not eliminate the risk. How much alcoholic content is in my drink? How To Stop Drinking If you or a loved one has a problem with alcohol use and may even have an alcohol use disorder, there are a number of strategies and things that you can implement in your life to work and change your ability to no longer be dependent or rely upon alcohol. Keeping Track One simple way that you can realize just how much your drinking is affecting you and how much you are drinking is to just keep track of how much you are drinking. It is easy to keep a small card in your wallet and write down how much you are drinking and how often. Moreover, keeping a check mark on a calendar or writing them down in your phone can help you realize just how much you are drinking. Keeping track of these will help you slow down when you need to. Setting Goals After tracking how much you have been drinking, you should then move on to decide how many days a week that you want to drink and how much you will drink on those days. It is also important that you take some days off completely and don’t drink on those days. When you set these goals, it may be best to verbalize them to another person or group of people. Telling people can be extremely helpful as these people may help hold you accountable to your goals and, in some cases, these people may even join your in your journey toward less drinking or sobriety. Avoid Triggers It is important that you are able to identify the things that trigger you or your loved one to use alcohol. Once these triggers are identified, you may have to cut certain events, people, and situations out of your life in order to make your physical health and sobriety a bigger priority. Alcohol Rehab If you are searching for help for an alcohol problem, there are a number of national and local resources that can help you or your loved one with whatever substance abuse problem that you are suffering from. Alcohol rehab can offer your loved one a number of services to help overcome substance abuse and learn the tools that are conducive with long-term sobriety. During alcohol rehab, one of the most common services offered is medically assisted detoxification. Detox will generally last between 3 to 7 days and allow the patient to overcome withdrawal symptoms that can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Withdrawal symptoms associated with a number of dangerous problems and issues such as anxiety, depression, irritability, rapid heart rate, tremors, fever, seizures, and more. Along with medical detox, there are many different treatment modalities that are available to help patients who are suffering from addiction problems. For instance, behavioral psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is available in many treatment facilities to help patients learn more about substance abuse and better understand how these problems can affect someone. One of the most common forms of behavioral therapy that are used in treatment programs is cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is used in many treatment centers and rehabs to help patients better identify the triggers that may influence or cause them to use. From there, clinicians will work to help change the way that patients think about these triggers and even make efforts to leave them in the past. There are a number of other features of rehab for alcohol. Next Steps If you or your loved one is looking into alcohol rehab, reach out today. Sources and Disclaimers Do you have more questions? Sort Votes Newest Terri My good friend has been hospitalized then put in an Post Acute facility 3 weeks ago. After drinking for many years. She is slowly able to walk with a walker and she is still confused. She is 65 yrs old. She had been having problems eating throwing up and runs after anything she ate for about 9 months. But still would down a 1/2 gallon of Bourbon a day every day! Was very unstable walking finally she collapsed and family called 911. 2 REPLY Dr. Stephen Loyd M.D. Hi Terri! Thank you for sharing your story. Addiction is such a powerful disease. Even when things get bad, sometimes it takes a true medical emergency for someone to recognize they need help. Between the drinking, running and throwing up, it sounds like her body just couldn’t handle it anymore. When we’re at our lowest, there is nowhere to go but up. It sounds like she is making progress, which is great news. Keep being supportive, she needs you more than you know! REPLY Kathy Is there a way to determine life expectancy when someone has Korda off syndrome? My husband was diagnosed and at this time he is jaundice, eyes and skin, swollen head, stomach and limbs. He was admitted in treatment at a rehab facility. I asked about what type of time he has left snd was told it is hard to tell at this time. I do have a copy of his labs snd I’m not sure what questions to ask. REPLY Dr. David Zoeller M.D. Hi Kathy, I’m so glad to hear that your husband made it into a treatment center. Abstinence from alcohol is the number one priority for people with Korsakoff syndrome. As you mentioned, his prognosis depends on the results of his lab work and other cognitive tests, but the good news is that if his thiamine deficiency was addressed early in treatment, he has a good chance of restoring some, if not all, brain function. About a quarter of people who develop Korsakoff syndrome will recover. About half will show some improvement. The remaining 25% do not show any improvement. Jaundice is a sign of the liver failing, which is a separate disease. Judging from jaundice and the swelling in his stomach, it’s likely his cirrhosis is Stage 3, which means the damage is permanent. The average life expectancy of patients with advanced cirrhosis of the liver is 1-2 years, but I’ve seen patients that stop drinking and embrace nutrition live much longer. If he’s able to participate in rehab (walking himself and talking in therapy), there is hope for a longer life expectancy if drinking is stopped. He’s lucky to have you. I know it’s not easy, but family support is so important for recovery. I wish you all the best. REPLY Delores Zubricky My son has drinking for many years and now won’t stop he has 3 kids what can I do to get him help now the doctor says he has wet brain how long will he last Delores Zubricky REPLY Suzanne Mac Hi! Thanks for the information. I think your CDC recommendation has a typo. Shouldn’t it be “one drink for women & two for men’? Take care! REPLY Dr. David Zoeller M.D. Hey Suzanne! Great catch! I will have the editorial team switch that around. Hope you are well! REPLY eyeBlozy hello, how can i solve this problem with this page showing? eyeg REPLY Fran Sumner Once someone is at the end stage and still drinks how long would they have left? REPLY Do you find this answer helpful? Tell us what you think. YES NO 29 Upvotes WRITTEN BY Dr. David Zoeller M.D. Medical Director Subscribe Dr. Zoeller has been practicing internal medicine for more than 30 years with a special interest in brain and addiction science. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pain Medicine and certified in addiction medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine. After starting his career as a Chemical Engineer at IBM, Dr. Zoeller graduated from the Louisville School of Medicine. He currently serves as an associate professor at the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville and Vanderbilt University. Medical executive at JourneyPure, a nationally-recognized drug & alcohol treatment center with locations across the country 30 years as a medical doctor Certified in addiction medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine Diplomate of the American Board of Pain Medicine Associate professor at the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville and Vanderbilt University RELATED ALCOHOLISM How does alcohol affect people with autism? What is EtOH? Can drugs and alcohol cause autism? Does alcohol thin your blood? What is Alcoholics Anonymous? What medications don’t mix with alcohol? Is alcohol a drug? Is alcohol a stimulant? How do I find the best alcohol rehab near me? What are signs of liver damage? What now? Get more answers. 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