| When people who abuse substances enter our | | | | memory. This is why chronic alcoholics may seem to |
| addiction treatment center in British Columbia they | | | | believe their own lies. The memory has been |
| often show signs of malnutrition. For heroin addicts | | | | invented because there is no memory and the |
| the malnutrition is due to the loss of appetite that | | | | invented memory that has replaced it is now believed |
| the drug induces. Chronic alcoholics also suffer | | | | to be true. |
| malnutrition, especially a shortage of thiamine (vitamin | | | | Another syndrome, called Wernicke encephalopathy, |
| B). | | | | can accompany Korsakoff's syndrome. It causes |
| People with malnutrition are vulnerable to infection. | | | | brain damage, loss of coordination and loss of eye |
| The nutrients from food are essential to the | | | | movement. Korsakoff's syndrome is a continuum of |
| functioning of the immune system. Without a | | | | Wernicke's syndrome. Brain damage caused by |
| properly functioning immune system one is easily | | | | Korsakoff's or Wernicke's syndromes cannot be |
| susceptible to disease. | | | | reversed. |
| Other outcomes of malnutrition are breakdowns in | | | | Korsakoff's syndrome was once thought to be an |
| the basic functioning of the body. In addition to being | | | | incurable condition that would result in full-time care. |
| underweight, the malnourished substance abuser may | | | | Currently treatment includes replacement and |
| suffer from a bad complexion and digestive problems. | | | | supplementation of thiamine along with proper |
| He or she may complain of muscle aches and fatigue. | | | | nutrition and hydration. |
| Hair may stop growing and even fall out and women | | | | Good nutrition and vitamin therapy are extremely |
| of childbearing age stop menstruating. Tooth decay | | | | important to the treatment of substance abuse. The |
| can also occur. | | | | brain needs to recover from its lack of thiamine and |
| Malnutrition is not limited to the long-term substance | | | | the body needs proper nutrition in order to |
| abuser. Anyone who fails to eat, or who eats food | | | | overcome malnutrition and build up the immune |
| of low nutritional value for a few days, can suffer | | | | system. |
| malnutrition. | | | | Specific vitamin supplements may be supplied by |
| In chronic alcoholics malnutrition often presents itself | | | | physicians to overcome the effects of Korsakoff's |
| in behavior that is characteristic of alcoholics but is | | | | syndrome, but a regular diet high in anti-oxidant |
| actually the symptoms of Korsakoff's syndrome, or | | | | foods, such as fruit, fish and vegetables, and with |
| "wet brain" disease, caused by a lack of thiamine | | | | adequate protein, fat and carbohydrates, is essential. |
| (vitamin B). | | | | Substance abusers often suffer from disruptive sleep |
| Symptoms of Korsakoff's include amnesia. This can | | | | patterns, so coffee is not recommended. The drug |
| be both short and long-term. For example, following a | | | | addict of alcoholic should limit their intake of caffeine |
| blackout, the alcoholic may be unable to remember | | | | to two cups a day and drink these only in the |
| the circumstances that lead to the blackout | | | | morning. Sugar intake should also be reduced because |
| (short-term amnesia). He or she may also, for | | | | of its effects on the body chemistry. |
| example, forget the names and faces of relatives | | | | It is amazing how proper nutrition helps heal the |
| (long-term amnesia). | | | | recovering substance abuser. Along with abstention |
| Those who suffer Korsakoff's syndrome also | | | | from all addictive substances, the introduction of |
| demonstrate confabulation, which is invented | | | | nutritious food and vitamin therapy can restore the |
| memories that are taken as true due to gaps in | | | | person to their former complete health. |