Alcohol Forum Ireland

As part of Brain Awareness Week, we hosted an online webinar focusing on “Addressing Malnutrition in Alcohol-Use Disorders – with a special focus on Thiamine Deficiency and Wernickes Korsakoffs Syndrome”. The purpose of this event was raise the profile of preventative efforts in reducing risk for developing Wernickes Korsakoffs, a neuropsychiatric brain injury which can result from long-term alcohol dependence and co-morbid thiamine deficiency. 80% of people affected by alcohol dependence are affected by thiamine deficiency which represents an important precursor to Wernickes Korsakoffs. Over 1000 people registered for the event, with attendance from professionals in Ireland, the UK, the US, and Australia. We launched a new self-directed and practitioner-supported resource “Thiamine, Healthy Eating and You – You can reduce your risk of developing alcohol-related brain injury”.

Digital dissemination of this resource reached 1003 practitioners, shared by Irish Dietetic and Nutrition Institute, endorsed by national Health Service Executive and national healthy eating programme in Ireland.

Yes – it has raised the profile of harmful alcohol use being a barrier to brain health in our society and has helped practitioners understand the link between alcohol and brain health across the lifespan. It has also allowed practitioners to put more emphasis on the ‘brain injury’ in these conditions as opposed to just its cause.