Alcohol Use: Cutting Back or Quitting May Reverse Brain Shrinkage

  • A study has found that quitting or cutting back on drinking can improve brain health.
  • Those who reduced their drinking to a low-risk level had less brain shrinkage.
  • The authors suggest that cutting back may be a more doable goal for people with AUD.
  • Some will be able to cut down on their drinking through strategies like mindfulness.
  • Others, however, may benefit from professional help.

A new study published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research(Trusted Source) indicates that, for people with alcohol use disorder, even reducing alcohol consumption can be helpful when it comes to brain health.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism(Trusted Source), alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a brain disorder characterized by an inability to stop or control your alcohol use even though it negatively affects your relationships, health, or work life.

The study found that when people with alcohol use disorder either reduced their alcohol intake or quit drinking completely, they had greater volume in particular regions of the brain than people who drank more heavily.

(More: Can Brain Shrinkage From Alcohol Be Reversed? (healthline.com)

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