How long it takes for your mind to recover after over-consumption of alcohol depends on the severity of the damage done. The more intense or frequent the alcoholic blackouts are, the longer it will take your brain’s neurotransmitters to return to normal activity levels. Generally, though, it may take up to two weeks for the brain’s chemistry to return to normal after experiencing extended periods of alcoholic blackout. Most people who have dealt with alcohol addiction have some idea of what brain fog feels like because it is very similar to how you might feel after a round of heavy drinking. Even a mild binge can lead to hangovers that create foggy thinking.

• Between the first week and first month, increases in gray brain matter and white brain matter start to appear.
• If brain fog still persists after getting sober and well into your long-term sobriety, you can consider exercises for fighting brain fog.
• Dr. Carlos Tirado serves as the Medical Director for Renewal Lodge.
• This is all very normal, but the fluctuations in your thought process are a sure sign that you are getting better.
• The researchers found that people with alcohol use disorder had less brain matter than people without AUD.

When I’m not writing about sobriety and mental health, I’m fully living in my role as wife, mama, and SEO badass. When you experience severe withdrawal symptoms, it’s your brain’s way of trying to restore the chemical balance once again. Essentially, your brain chemistry no longer functions properly without alcohol. This increases the effects of GABA in your brain, and leads to the relaxation we feel.

In Search of Clear Skies: How to Escape Your Brain Fog

For most unhappy drinkers, a spiritual or religious life is neglected. The body systems must work harder to process the toxin effectively to remove it from the system. For persons seeking sobriety, detoxification is necessary to withdrawal if physical dependence upon alcohol is present. Even if a physical addiction is not noted, alcohol affects the filtration systems of the body and weakens the body. Eating a healthy diet, taking vitamin supplements and engaging in moderate exercise are all good ways to clear the body and restore health. I’ve spent the last six years researching and understanding alcoholism, addiction, and how people get sober.

Other dietary concerns related to brain fog involve sorting out any nutritional deficiencies you might have. Vitamins D and B12 and Omega-3 fatty acids are common culprits when it comes to deficiencies, and these can all be found at your local pharmacy. Beyond the possibility of brain inflammation, omega-6 fatty acids also lead to depression and other mental illnesses, not to mention the increased risk of strokes and links to Alzheimer’s disease. When we’re tired from being on conference calls, or tired from brain fog, it may be hard to motivate ourselves to get on the phone to call a friend, so we disconnect from others.

Alcohol Changes the Structure of Your Brain

And that’s why a Tesla engineer and FDA scientist teamed up to create Morning Recovery. We’ve all woken up feeling rough after having a couple drinks the night before. Statements made about these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Detoxify products are not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. Detoxify’s cleansing regimens take care of the toxins that make you feel foggy, cranky and dazed after drinking. Even just lounging in a sunny spot can dramatically improve your post-drinking outlook. Meditation can help you cope with the anxious feelings that can arise with too much alcohol.

• How to Turn Your Alcohol Abuse into Recovery – By receiving the appropriate treatment and support for your individual needs, you can begin to recover from an alcohol abuse disorder.
• She has since earned her ACE Certified Health Coach certification so that she can further assist her clients as a whole, mind and body.
• Improved brain function and rapid volume recovery has been linked to it and observed in brain imaging.
• There are many possible contributors, including post-COVID-19 syndrome (also called “Long Haul COVID”).
• Responsible for managing and maintaining the Grounds, Facilities, and Fleet of the eleven acre property of Renewal Lodge.

Because their sharp wit is so intertwined with who they are their brain fog symptoms make them feel like they have lost themselves. Their family and friends notice the change and may interpret their lack of humor as a “coolness” toward them. When it comes to memory issues it’s not difficult to see how being forgetful could cause issues with jobs and even relationships.

How does it affect our long term thinking?

Some scientists theorize that alcohol-induced confusion comes from increased inflammation around the brain cells. The harm that drinking may do to your brain, however, can often be reversed with abstinence. This includes shrinkage of dendrites in the adult brain, which research has shown will begin to return and spread after weeks or months of sobriety. Improved brain function and rapid volume recovery has been linked to it and observed in brain imaging. The brain’s ability to repair itself swiftly after stopping drinking has been demonstrated in studies into the effects of alcohol on the brain. According to research, when chronic alcohol consumers stop drinking, grey matter shrinkage in the brain begins to reverse within two weeks. This level of addiction care addresses physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms, including brain fog.

That may be why a hangover makes it feel like you can only handle binge-watching The Great British Bake Off, moseying outside to get a breakfast sandwich, and not much else. Whether seeking to ease social anxiety or drinking to kill the pain of deeper emotional issues, most alcoholics lack emotional clarity. Learning to identify feelings and respond appropriately is a new skill for persons seeking sobriety.Counseling can help those seeking long term alcohol brain fog emotional sobriety of uncover new methods of coping. Alcohol abuse, alcoholism, binge drinking, and alcohol use disorder are all terms used to describe excessive drinking. While the specifics of each type of drinking vary in terms of quantity, duration and frequency, there are commonalities with regard to effects on the brain and the body. Alcohol affects the brain and body in specific ways and habitual excessive drinking leads to areas of damage.

Even a Little Light When Sleeping Can Be Harmful

We create discharge and aftercare plans that promote individualized attention to the unique needs of every client. If you fall into this category, known as the functional subtype, my best advice is to give up alcohol completely. This difficulty is caused by the numerous negative ways in which the toxic substance of alcohol affects our bodies.