The Connection Between Traumatic Brain Injury and Increased Alcohol Consumption

A Look at the Frequency of Alcohol Use after Traumatic Brain Injury

In a recent study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma, 170 participants with traumatic brain injury (TBI) were examined.  They were given a number of post-injury evaluations.  The frequency of pre- and post-injury alcohol use was examined.  According to the study, an increase of alcohol consumption was noted by the 6-month post-injury evaluation but was generally less than that consumed pre-injury.  Pre-injury alcohol abuse was common amongst people who later experienced a TBI.

The study showed that nearly 1/3 of the participants reported heavy alcohol consumption prior to their TBI.  Immediately following the majority of participants injury there was a “significant drop” in the amount of alcohol they were consuming.  The study indicates that alcohol intervention for those affected by TBI should start as early as possible, generally within the first 6 months. 

Heavy alcohol consumption by itself can affect cognitive abilities.  Post-TBI heavy alcohol use can have an increased “risk for additional injury, reduce a person’s ability to benefit from rehabilitation, increase risk for seizures and increase the difficultly of returning to work.”  Heavy alcohol use can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life.  As discussed, heavy drinking after a traumatic brain injury can have devastating consequences.  Early intervention is key to success and preventing alcohol use disorder among TBI patients. 

Alcohol and TBI have a notorious relationship.  According to the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC), “between 30-50% of people with TBI were injured while they were drunk.”  It is important to seek help for alcohol misuse as early as possible to prevent serious injury.