10 Comments

I found this to be very interesting. I am wondering if alcohol damage to the brain is reversible? I am a 40-year-old woman who quit alcohol 5 years ago. Before that, I was a heavy drinker. Is the damage I caused in my 20s and 30s reversible?

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Hi Carly, generally, the brain does possess remarkable plasticity, meaning it can repair and reorganize itself to some extent. When heavy drinkers quit alcohol, various studies have shown improvements in brain function and a reduction in the damage caused by excessive drinking over time. It's extremely hard though to go back to baseline.

For someone like you, who quit alcohol 5 years ago, it's possible that your brain has already made significant strides in healing.

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Thank you for your response and I love your work. Since quitting alcohol, I've experienced significant boosts in my cognitive abilities, mood, and overall health. It's been a complete game changer. A standout improvement has been in my sleep quality; I now wake up refreshed. Adjusting to social situations, like networking events, without alcohol has felt like navigating uncharted waters at times. I often used alcohol as a crutch. However, the rewards, both mentally and physically, have made every challenge worthwhile.

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Really appreciate this article and take on drinking. Definitely good food for thought!

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Thank you so much! I am so happy you enjoyed it.

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The mental clarity when you are alcohol free feels like a super power.

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I agree!

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Thanks for the post very interesting

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Thanks Will

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Extremely practical study that resulted unsurprising results to me but which may shock the glass-of wine-a-day doctors out there.

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