According to an expert, thousands of people with alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) could be going undiagnosed. ARBD is caused by consuming 35 units of alcohol per week for 5 years or more, as per research. This affects a person's ability to perform basic daily tasks as well.
In an interview with BBC, Lee Caldwell, 56, who was diagnosed with ARBD in 2024 revealed that he struggled with short-term memory and impulse control.
According to Professor Gareth Roderique Davies, the stigma and lack of awareness led to the disease being missed or misdiagnosed adding that adequate resources remain a challenge.
Daily challenges with ARBD
If left undiagnosed, patients with ARBD can end up needing long-term nursing care but with the right help, they can improve and live independently. Caldwell who was diagnosed with the disease last September said at the peak of his drinking he found it "easier to cross the road to the garage" to buy alcohol than to confront the feelings of guilt and shame associated with his habit. "The addiction became more important than living," said the former Royal Navy engineer and construction manager.
He also revealed the daily challenges the disease posed remembering an instance where he couldn't find his room. I could see room seven, there's eight – where's nine? This lad I got on with said: 'It would help if you were in the right building – you live over there'."
While long-term memory was alright, he struggled with "silly things" like remembering whether he had taken his medication and impulse control.
ARBD has increased since the pandemic
According to Sue Gwyn, the chief executive of Brynawel House post-pandemic there are more people with far more extensive brain problems due to drinking.
"Even as low as 35 units of alcohol a week for maybe four or five years can impact on your brain," said Gwyn.
She also added how later diagnosis of the disease is problematic as recovery becomes more difficult. "If it's not picked up the outcomes will be poorer for them, and in the most severe cases they're going to end up in long term nursing care."
Therapy helps with ARBD
Jan Bevan, an occupational therapist who works at Brynawel House said they see "a massive change in people by the time they leave." "Life evolved around alcohol and when they could get their next drink. But they're actually looking at a future and what's meaningful, because they'd forgotten what meaningful is."
She helps people work up routines with prompts to aid their memory.
Diagnosis and treatment have a long way to go
Prof Davies is the co-lead of the addictions research group at the University of South Wales where work is in progress to better understand ARBD and its prevalence. He shared that he is frustrated with the lack of progress in creating clinical pathways to treatment.
"In many ways Wales is leading the way in terms of recognising ARBD as an issue, but there is the road block of putting the appropriate resources in place in order to deal with it," he said.
"We did some research a few years ago which suggested a prevalence of about 34 per 100,000 in south Wales, which is almost certainly a huge underestimation.
"So just scaling up those figures, you're talking about thousands of people in Wales with a potential diagnosis."
He also added how stigma plays a big role in people being diagnosed correctly. "Individuals who are drinking excessively may present as confused and chaotic and possibly even aggressive and that immediately means they're treated in a stigmatised way," he said.
"Whereas in fact they're exhibiting signs of alcohol related brain damage. But the pathways to recovery are really, really ill defined."
The Welsh government recently announced that it was investing £67m "to help people affected by drugs and alcohol, including people with alcohol related brain damage, to ensure a range of services and support is in place".
"Clinical pathways are a matter for each area planning board area to determine and it is important they work closely with all appropriate organisations to ensure early identification of ARBD," added a spokesperson.
In an interview with BBC, Lee Caldwell, 56, who was diagnosed with ARBD in 2024 revealed that he struggled with short-term memory and impulse control.
According to Professor Gareth Roderique Davies, the stigma and lack of awareness led to the disease being missed or misdiagnosed adding that adequate resources remain a challenge.
Daily challenges with ARBD
If left undiagnosed, patients with ARBD can end up needing long-term nursing care but with the right help, they can improve and live independently. Caldwell who was diagnosed with the disease last September said at the peak of his drinking he found it "easier to cross the road to the garage" to buy alcohol than to confront the feelings of guilt and shame associated with his habit. "The addiction became more important than living," said the former Royal Navy engineer and construction manager.
He also revealed the daily challenges the disease posed remembering an instance where he couldn't find his room. I could see room seven, there's eight – where's nine? This lad I got on with said: 'It would help if you were in the right building – you live over there'."
While long-term memory was alright, he struggled with "silly things" like remembering whether he had taken his medication and impulse control.
ARBD has increased since the pandemic
According to Sue Gwyn, the chief executive of Brynawel House post-pandemic there are more people with far more extensive brain problems due to drinking.
"Even as low as 35 units of alcohol a week for maybe four or five years can impact on your brain," said Gwyn.
She also added how later diagnosis of the disease is problematic as recovery becomes more difficult. "If it's not picked up the outcomes will be poorer for them, and in the most severe cases they're going to end up in long term nursing care."
Therapy helps with ARBD
Jan Bevan, an occupational therapist who works at Brynawel House said they see "a massive change in people by the time they leave." "Life evolved around alcohol and when they could get their next drink. But they're actually looking at a future and what's meaningful, because they'd forgotten what meaningful is."
She helps people work up routines with prompts to aid their memory.
Diagnosis and treatment have a long way to go
Prof Davies is the co-lead of the addictions research group at the University of South Wales where work is in progress to better understand ARBD and its prevalence. He shared that he is frustrated with the lack of progress in creating clinical pathways to treatment.
"In many ways Wales is leading the way in terms of recognising ARBD as an issue, but there is the road block of putting the appropriate resources in place in order to deal with it," he said.
"We did some research a few years ago which suggested a prevalence of about 34 per 100,000 in south Wales, which is almost certainly a huge underestimation.
"So just scaling up those figures, you're talking about thousands of people in Wales with a potential diagnosis."
He also added how stigma plays a big role in people being diagnosed correctly. "Individuals who are drinking excessively may present as confused and chaotic and possibly even aggressive and that immediately means they're treated in a stigmatised way," he said.
"Whereas in fact they're exhibiting signs of alcohol related brain damage. But the pathways to recovery are really, really ill defined."
The Welsh government recently announced that it was investing £67m "to help people affected by drugs and alcohol, including people with alcohol related brain damage, to ensure a range of services and support is in place".
"Clinical pathways are a matter for each area planning board area to determine and it is important they work closely with all appropriate organisations to ensure early identification of ARBD," added a spokesperson.
You may also like
Shukla-piloted Axiom-4 launch to ISS now on June 10; Indian astronaut says 'even stars are attainable, Jai Hind'
Harvard battles $2.5 Billion US funding cut, cites risks to national security, public health research
Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau to battle ITV Racing pundit's son at US Open
Midsomer Murders stars' biggest exits and reasons behind quitting
Indore Tourist Raja Raghuvanshi Found Dead In Meghalaya Gorge, Wife Still Missing; Murder Case Filed
