Heavy alcohol use can affect memory and also cause other cognitive changes. Reasons for this can include vitamin B1 deficiency and damage to the hippocampus, which can both result from chronic heavy alcohol use.

Doctors have identified several ways alcohol affects the brain and memory. People who binge drink or drink to excess regularly may experience short-term and long-term memory loss.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition in which a person is unable to stop drinking alcohol or manage their use of alcohol. Long-term use of alcohol from AUD can damage the brain and other organs.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, heavy drinking can cause brain changes such as:

  • impulsivity
  • compulsivity
  • impaired cognitive function
  • impaired decision making

Short-term memory loss can include forgetting events that occurred while you were intoxicated after a night of binge drinking. But long-term heavy alcohol use causes a persistent decline in memory and cognitive skills as part of dementia.

Dementia is a chronic, degenerative condition that causes:

  • difficulty thinking
  • lack of attention
  • short-term memory loss
  • behavioral changes
  • changes in personality

Keep reading to learn more about why alcohol can affect short- and long-term memory and what you can do about it.

Doctors have identified several ways excess alcohol can affect a person’s memory.

Effects on short-term memory

Some people experience a “blackout” when they drink too much alcohol and don’t remember key details.

These situations can range from small events, like where a person puts their keys, to larger ones, such as forgetting what happened the previous night. Blackouts usually start when a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is around 0.16% or higher. This is almost twice the legal limit for driving.

A period of heavy alcohol use can affect short-term memory. This is due to toxic damage and inhibition of nerve function, likely involving the hippocampus, a part of the brain that plays a significant role in helping people form and maintain memories. When nerve activity is inhibited or harmed, short-term memory loss can occur.

Effects on long-term memory

In general, drinking too much alcohol can affect cognitive functions in multiple ways. Both shorter periods of heavy alcohol use and chronic heavy drinking can damage the hippocampus, which can affect your memory in the long term.

In general, people who drink excess alcohol experience malnutrition, which can affect the brain. They are often deficient in vitamin B1 (thiamine), which provides energy to the brain and nerve cells.

A vitamin B1 deficiency can also lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS), a type of dementia linked to heavy alcohol use. This condition causes a decline in short-term memory in the early stages of the disease. For example, a person might have trouble remembering new facts. The condition also leads to an unusual pattern of walking and confabulation (false memories).

It’s possible that a person can prevent this syndrome from getting worse, but they usually must stop drinking and enhance their nutrient intake.

Chronic alcohol use can also lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency. This can also cause dementia.

Additionally, heavy alcohol use can cause vascular dementia, which is a type of dementia that affects the brain’s blood vessels. Symptoms are similar to Alzheimer’s disease but can include:

  • changes in sleep habits
  • getting lost on regular routes
  • issues with language, like being unable to find the right word or using the wrong word
  • forgetting past or current events
  • problems doing tasks that were once easy, like paying bills
  • changes in personality, behavior, or mood

People who drink heavily may not eat a balanced diet and miss out on key nutrients. Drinking too much alcohol can also irritate the stomach lining, which affects how the stomach absorbs nutrients.

Effects of alcohol use disorder

AUD is a brain disorder that can range from mild to more severe. Long-term use of alcohol from AUD can also damage your brain and other organs.

People with AUD may experience symptoms like:

  • A loss of control: Feeling like they can’t stop drinking once they start.
  • Craving: Having a strong urge to drink.
  • Negative emotional state: Feeling crabby or anxious when not drinking.

While moderate drinking can’t always harm your body, overconsuming alcohol can be dangerous. Binge drinking is linked to certain cancers, liver disease, and damage to the brain.

For some people, the effects of alcohol cause pleasure and a positive feedback that’s associated with the release of dopamine (a neurotransmitter that helps us feel pleasure). But continued use can lead to tolerance, which means a person will need to drink more and more alcohol to feel the same level of pleasure.

For some people, alcohol can disrupt activity in an area of the brain called the amygdala, which is involved in mediating emotions. Sometimes, this disruption may mask feelings of sadness or anxiety. Over time, toxic damage from chronic alcohol use will affect a person’s executive function. It can also affect a person’s ability to make decisions and their self-control.

Effects on older people

In 2022, 1 in 11 adults who were 60 years or older had a substance use disorder. Alcohol use has been found to be the biggest threat. The rate of binge drinking and heavy drinking has risen, especially among older women.

As a person ages, their brain becomes more sensitive to alcohol. Their metabolism also slows down, so the alcohol stays in their system longer.

Additionally, many older people also experience a slow degeneration of the cells in the hippocampus. Even when it is not severe enough to cause symptoms of dementia, when you add the effects of heavy alcohol use, memory loss can be very serious.

In addition to these considerations, older people also tend to take more medications than younger people. These medications can potentially interact with alcohol, which can worsen symptoms.

Older people are also more vulnerable to injuries from falls due to changes in eyesight, spatial recognition, and bone health. Alcohol use can increase their risk of falls, as it can affect judgment and perception. A fall can injure them and affect their memory.

If you know an older person who you suspect is overusing alcohol, you may want to speak with them about your concerns for their well-being.

Some of alcohol’s effects on memory are apparent — maybe you wake up after a night of drinking and have a bruise you don’t remember getting, or you don’t recall any of the night’s previous events. Some effects are more subtle.

If you can identify with any of the following symptoms, you may be experiencing short-term memory loss from heavy alcohol use:

  • You’ve been told that you talked with someone recently about an event, but you don’t remember having the conversation.
  • People often tell you about things you did while drinking that you can’t recall.
  • You’ve gotten in trouble with loved ones or the police when drinking, but you don’t fully remember what you did.

How to spot signs in others

The following symptoms may indicate someone has alcohol-related long-term dementia:

  • They have a symptom called confabulation, in which they make up small stories to fill gaps in their memory. This is a key feature of WKS.
  • They’re experiencing noticeable personality changes. This may include appearing more withdrawn, frustrated, or even angry.
  • They frequently ask the same question repeatedly without remembering if they have asked it previously.
  • They have difficulty learning a new skill, such as playing a game. This can signal problems with recent memories.

If you notice any of these signs, consider talking with a doctor.

Treatments are available for people whose alcohol use affects their memory and overall functioning. According to research from 2021, thiamine supplementation or intravenous (IV) thiamine can help alleviate symptoms of WKS, which is caused by a thiamine deficiency.

Other research from 2021 suggests that memantine — a treatment of Alzheimer’s disease — may show promise in treating other types of dementia, such as alcohol-associated dementia.

You can avoid short-term memory loss by removing alcohol from the equation. Avoiding alcohol can help prevent dementia from worsening.

Undergoing treatment for alcohol use disorder

People with AUD may need help stopping alcohol use. Alcohol withdrawal can cause symptoms that range from mild to more serious. These include nausea and vomiting or life threatening symptoms, like a racing heart, delirium, and very high body temperature. The more times you’ve withdrawn from alcohol, the more at risk you are for life threatening effects. You may need treatment at a hospital to safely withdraw.

Drinking alcohol in moderation — 1 to 2 drinks for men and 1 for women — may not always increase a person’s risk of dementia. But, according to a 2024 study, any alcohol use could be linked to the condition. It’s not yet known whether certain risk factors might make alcohol more harmful.

For people who drink daily and heavily, there isn’t always a safe or moderate amount of alcohol to consume.

If your healthcare professional has advised you to stop drinking entirely, it’s important to follow their advice. They can also recommend a program to help you quit.

Some ways to stay away from alcohol include:

  • Throwing away any alcohol in the home, including cough syrups that contain alcohol.
  • Asking friends and family not to bring or buy alcohol for you or a loved one.
  • Asking grocery stores or delivery services not to deliver alcohol to your home.
  • Avoiding going to bars if possible.
  • Trying to skip out on social situations involving alcohol. Instead, try to create plans that don’t revolve around alcohol, like going for a hike, watching a movie, or visiting a museum.

Some people may find that they can drink nonalcoholic wine or beer if they crave the taste of alcohol.

If you are drinking heavily and it’s affecting memory and overall health, help is available. Here are some places to start:

  • Talk with your primary care doctor: If you drink heavily, you may need medical support when you decide to stop drinking to prevent potentially severe withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor may suggest admitting you to a hospital or an alcohol treatment facility to help.
  • Call a helpline: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) free national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) is available 24 hours a day.
  • Join a support group: Consider finding a local Alcoholics Anonymous meeting near you. These meetings are free and have helped thousands of people stay sober.
  • Talk with friends and family: If you think you need help, their support can help you through.

You should never be ashamed or afraid to ask for help. These steps can save your life.

Drinking alcohol in excess can affect memory. If a person uses it heavily in the long term, they’re at risk for a number of memory-related health conditions.

If you or a loved one frequently engages in binge drinking or has AUD, you can talk with your doctor or call the SAMHSA National Helpline for support.