The Connection Between Alcohol and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Heavy drinking can lead to devastating physical, mental, and emotional side effects of alcohol — but the impact of consuming this substance isn’t limited to just the drinker, especially when someone is pregnant but continues drinking. Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders, or ARND, are a major concern because of the lifelong problems they can cause long after birth. Because these conditions are so serious, it’s important to realize just how risky it is to drink while pregnant, as well as to know that help is available if you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction during this vital period of development.
What Are the Types of Alcohol-Related Neurological Disorders?
Alcohol-related neurological disorders, or ARND, occur when alcohol is consumed during pregnancy. Because alcohol is a toxic substance, and there are so many serious effects of alcohol on youth development, it’s important to pay attention to prenatal care. So, what are alcohol-related neurological disorders? It is part of the scope of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, which is when the fetus, before birth, is exposed to alcohol. The relationship is not difficult to understand: everything that passes through the system of a pregnant mother is fed to the unborn child, and when this occurs, there are consequences.
Prenatal alcohol exposure drastically affects the brain of a fetus during its development while in the womb. This causes cognitive impairment, neurological issues, and everything in between (including behavioral issues, emotional regulation problems, and even physical impairments). There are many types of alcohol-related neurological disorders, including fetal alcohol syndrome, neurobehavioral disorder, and partial fetal alcohol effects (PDAE). Because of the shockingly high rate of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder among America’s schoolchildren — the American Psychological Association says experts have estimated that 2% to 5% of all schoolchildren in the country may be affected by prenatal alcohol exposure — it’s important to know the risks and do everything possible to prevent more damage to children.
What Are the Neurological Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal?
Neurological symptoms of alcohol withdrawal affect both the mother and the fetus. Because alcohol use during pregnancy also delivers alcohol to the fetus, children can be born suffering from alcohol withdrawal — and that withdrawal itself can be fatal. If you are experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, remember that treatment is available, but we strongly encourage you to think about the baby in question.
Alcohol-related neurological disorders come with a price: the fetus is often born experiencing withdrawals that can complicate a very necessary part of childbirth — when they adapt from the womb into a new environment. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) causes mental and emotional issues in addition to its devastating toll on physical helath. However, again, drinking while pregnant may temporarily relieve withdrawal symptoms on your end, but the baby has already suffered the damage of alcohol poisoning.
What Does Alcohol Neuropathy Feel Like?
Alcohol neuropathy is a form of nerve damage that is caused by the toxic effects of drinking. Side effects can include chronic pain, as it damages nerve endings, as well as many other issues that include burning sensations in the hands and feet, sexual dysfunction, and consistent cramps or weakness of the muscles. In other words, it is not a pleasant experience. Alcohol affects more than just the brain. If you are reading this, you might seek help for yourself or a loved one. We encourage you to contact us at WhiteSands Treatment and learn more about how we can help you overcome alcohol addiction.
Can You Reverse Alcoholic Myopathy?
Yes, but no. This is a very simple question, and it has a very simple answer: alcoholic myopathy (as stated, muscle cramps and nerve damage play a role in this) can be irreversible if not treated sooner than later. Yes, with time and with the right care, it can be reversed. Because alcohol kills brain cells (which are responsible for creating the necessary chemical functions within us that repair nerve damage), it is not uncommon for alcohol myopathy to be either acute or chronic. Acute alcohol myopathy can be treated with good nutrition, refraining from drinking, and physical therapy. Chronic alcohol myopathy is typically found in those who are very heavy drinkers, and though it can also be treated, the body can never truly recover from acute alcohol abuse.
So, the answer is yes and no, depending on the health of the individual, the amount of alcohol consumed, how long they abused alcohol, and many other differences we all have within us. No two people are made the same, which is why addiction treatment needs to be individualized to the needs of the person.
The Cost of Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders
A 2003 report in Neurotoxicology and Teratology, a journal from the Developmental Neurotoxicology Society, said the lifetime cost of caring for someone with alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders was around $1.4 million — and that cost has only increased in the decades since that study.
The other cost is the sacrifice you make when abusing alcohol while pregnant. Since the COVID pandemic, the number of those suffering from alcohol use disorder has doubled, and it is important to think of the safety of not only your child but also the effects it will have on both your life and that of society. If you are struggling with alcohol abuse or any other substance abuse disorder, reach out to us for treatment options.
To conclude, alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders are a part of the fetal alcohol spectrum, which is a range of disorders that occur when a pregnant person drinks. Because the fetus absorbs the same chemicals as that of the mother, it can cause lifelong damage. The rise of alcohol abuse is only growing higher, and if you do not wish to do it for yourself, do it for your child in the scenario that you are pregnant. At WhiteSands Treatment, our experts offer compassionate, effective treatment for alcohol addiction that can give you or a loved on the support and skills you need to overcome alcohol abuse and help ensure the best future for your child. Take that first step, and you will never look back. Call us today at 877-855-3470 to get started.
External Source
- American Psychological Association — A Hidden Epidemic of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- ScienceDirect — Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
