Alcohol following brain injury
Introduction This booklet has been designed to help people with acquired brain injury understand how alcohol can affect the brain. It explains how alcohol can affect recovery after a brain injury, how alcohol can affect thinking, memory and problem solving skills as well as the effect it has on mood. It also tells people what they can do to avoid alcohol, through words and images which have been developed specifically to help people with brain injury understand these important messages. Contacts for further support and help are also provided. This booklet was initially developed at our independent hospital York House who run an alcohol awareness group for service users who have alcohol issues. The messages in the booklet were written using feedback from the service users about what were the most important and useful messages to get across. Other people who may find it helpful include Family carers and friends Other unpaid carers Brain injury professionals and other staff
Alcohol following brain injury After a brain injury everything changes. This is tough when you ve had enough and just want to go out with your friends. Alcohol and non-prescription drugs affect your brain unexpectedly because of the damage to your brain. For you with a brain injury this could be serious and hard to accept. Join a local brain injury support group. Meet other people with a brain injury and share your experiences.
Recovery Your brain is amazing. After a brain injury there are less brain cells to do the same work. Your brain has to work harder. Even after you leave hospital your brain is still recovering. It takes longer than you think, give it more time. Drinking alcohol slows your brain s recovery. Join a local brain injury support group. Meet other people with a brain injury and share your experiences.
Everyday Life and Alcohol Alcohol may make daily activities more difficult. It may make it harder for you to speak clearly or find the right words and others may find it difficult to understand you. You may have difficulties following what other people are saying to you. This can leave you at risk. Drink soft drinks. Try drinking non-alcoholic beers and lagers. Choose other places to go like the cinema, theatre, bowling, cafes or friends homes.
Thinking You may notice difficulty with thinking skills and may find it hard to concentrate. You may get easily distracted. Drinking will make your memory worse and you might lose your phone, your money or not find your way home. Your problem solving skills are reduced. People may take advantage of you people with a brain injury are vulnerable after a drink or taking non-prescription drugs. Join a local brain injury support group. Meet other people with a brain injury and share your experiences.
Saying what s on your mind Our brain lets us know when to say the right things for example, saying thank you after someone has held a door open for you. Your brain may not be as good at this after drinking. Arguments can get out of hand you may not be able to control them. Don t drink. If you drink alcohol, limit how much alcohol you drink. Join a local brain injury support group. Meet other people with a brain injury and share your experiences.
Seizures If you drink alcohol or take non-prescription drugs after a brain injury you are more likely to have a seizure or fit even if you have not had one before. A prolonged seizure damages your brain more. Medications taken to prevent seizures may not work as well after drinking alcohol or taking non-prescription drugs. Take your seizure medication and stick to soft drinks. Avoid the drinks section of the supermarket.
Mood Sometimes a brain injury leaves you feeling depressed. Alcohol is a depressant so drinking makes you feel more depressed. Drinking alcohol can make you feel more anxious, and less able to cope with life. Talk to your family, your health care professional or your GP and tell them how you feel. If you are in hospital, talk to your Doctor. Meet other people with a brain injury and share your experiences. You may need medication for your depression.
Having a brain injury means you have to be more careful. Drinking alcohol can mean you are more likely to have another brain injury. Therefore, it is best if you don t drink or take non-prescription drugs. Join a local brain injury support group. Meet other people with a brain injury and share your experiences.
Contact one of the following associations for help: Your local Alcoholics Anonymous group National Helpline: 0845 769 7555 www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Your local BIRT service www.birt.co.uk
The staff gave me really terrific support. I now realise just what an invaluable resource BIRT is. Luke BIRT the charity leading brain injury rehabilitation across the UK Our services are designed to meet the needs of people at different stages of rehabilitation from assessment to comprehensive rehabilitation, long-term housing and care, and community-based support. The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust (BIRT) is a leading European provider in specialist brain injury rehabilitation. We support people to regain independence and rebuild their lives following acquired brain injury. We currently support over 550 people with acquired brain injury, a figure which will rise substantially with several new service developments planned. BIRT is part of The Disabilities Trust and is the means by which it provides its brain injury services. The Disabilities Trust provides services to people with physical impairments, autism and learning disabilities, as well as brain injury. The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust 3 Westgate Court Silkwood Park Wakefield WF5 9TJ Tel: 01924 269 389 Email: director@birt.co.uk Kindly supported by National Accident Helpline www.national-accident-helpline.co.uk BIRT is a division of The Disabilities Trust, Registered Charity No 800797, and in Scotland under SC038972/ BIRT:SC043579, and is the means by which it provides its brain injury services. 2013 The Disabilities Trust www.birt.co.uk DTB 11/14