March 21st, 2008 by jgold454

Research from the Journal of Neuroscience shows that addicts’ brains may be able to repair the damage caused by alcoholism and alcohol abuse when they quit drinking. This study was performed at the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. It was the first of its kind to show that brain damage from drinking alcohol might be reversed through abstinence.

Because this alcohol research was performed on rats, it’s impossible to tell whether the effects are true for humans as well. Humans have not yet been tested to find out if they have the same reaction of developing new brain cells when overcoming an alcohol addiction. However, people are encouraged that it’s likely the results would be the same.

The rats were given alcohol that would be equivalent to the amount of drinking binges in humans. They were kept intoxicated by alcohol for four days, during which time they developed fewer new brain cells. Seven days after the rats were taken off of their alcohol binge, they had a large growth spurt of new brain cells being developed. After a period of weeks, the effects of abstinence from alcohol showed an even larger rate of growth of new brain cells.

This study offers another source of hope to people dealing with alcoholism and in addiction recovery. Over time, they may be able to overcome some of the effects that were once thought to be permanent. It stands to reason that individuals who have more mild alcohol abuse problems and cut down on or stop drinking would receive the same benefits.

Some people may be able to recover from alcoholism on their own, but the vast majority requires the help of an addiction treatment program. Rehab facilities provide the services that can help people with alcohol abuse problems get the many benefits of a lifestyle of abstinence.