Is there a Connection between Substance Abuse and Memory Loss?
Drug and alcohol abuse has a very profound impact on our cognitive abilities, both in the short-term and the long-term. To understand the relationship between memory impairment and substance abuse, let’s take a look at the facts more closely.
It Strengthens Multiple Primary Culprits Behind Memory Loss
Before we delve into the direct effects of addictive substances on memory, it must be understood that even indirectly, substance abuse strengthens other factors which frequently contribute towards memory loss. So, let’s take a look at few of the common effects of substance abuse and how they can lead to memory loss.
Stress
Stress can, at the very least, adversely affect memory, but at its worst, the effects of stress can actually halt the growth of new neurons near the hippocampus area of the brain. If this happens, it will prevent you from storing new information as effectively as before.
Depression
Depression and substance abuse are both the cause and the effect of one another. As you feel depressed, it becomes harder to concentrate, and that in itself makes it hard to remember the finer details.
Poor Sleeping Habits
If you are not sleeping well, you will have a bad memory; it’s an inevitable result of substance abuse-induced insomnia because sleeping is pretty much how the brain turns short-term memories into long-term memories.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Most drugs and even alcohol can have a profound impact on your dietary habits, so if you are abusing anything, it will likely result in a poor and unbalanced diet.
The Direct Effect of Substance Abuse on Memory
All drugs and addictive substances invariably affect the central nervous system to bring about the desired effects, so memory is just one of the multiple cognitive functions that suffer. For example, heroin and other opioids interfere with the addict’s decision-making abilities by damaging the brain’s white matter but bring on serious memory loss by affecting the brain stem and slowing down respiratory functions during an overdose. Most addicts who survive a heroin or opioid overdose, experience severe memory loss due to oxygen deprivation. On the other hand, cocaine actively shrinks the blood vessels and constricts the blood flow to the brain. This is known to cause permanent cognitive impairment and memory loss in long-term addicts.
Addiction is a slippery slope and anyone who has been down that road knows that there are more ramifications of substance abuse than outsiders will ever know. Unfortunately, even when you realize what’s happening and you actively try to quit, your body and mind work against your wishes and it becomes impossible to come out of it without professional help. If you or anyone close to you can identify with this situation, Peachtree rehab, the Georgia Drug Detox Center with both inpatient and outpatient treatment options, can help immensely.
It doesn’t matter how old your addiction is and how much or how little damage it has done so far, it’s all about taking that all-important step and asking for the help you need.