9. Substance Abuse – The Cognitive Consequences
Substance abuse, including excessive consumption of alcohol and use of illicit drugs, has significant repercussions on overall health, including cognitive health. Chronic heavy drinking, in particular, can lead to alcohol-related brain damage, which includes a range of conditions such as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, alcoholic dementia, and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Similarly, the use of illicit drugs can also lead to cognitive impairment over time. Drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioids can cause changes in brain structure and function, leading to cognitive deficits.
The brain-damaging effects of alcohol and illicit drugs underscore the need for moderation and abstinence when it comes to substance use. Recognizing the risk that substance abuse poses can be the first step in seeking help, which in turn can drastically reduce the risk of dementia.
As we delve further into these risk factors, we discover that many of them are interconnected, contributing to the complexity of dementia. However, the awareness that such a complexity brings can serve as the compass guiding us towards strategies for reducing dementia risk. (9)
