Can alcohol cause dementia? (Korsakoff's syndrome)

My brother drank heavily for decades and now has huge memory gaps and invents stories to fill the blanks. Could it be alcohol-related dementia?

Yes, high and prolonged alcohol consumption can cause permanent cognitive damage — the best-known condition is Korsakoff's syndrome, linked to a severe deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine). The pattern you describe is typical: recent memory is severely affected and 'confabulation' — the person fills memory gaps with stories they believe to be true. They are not lying: their brain is filling in blanks.

A difference that offers hope

Unlike progressive dementias, alcohol-related damage can stabilise — and sometimes partially improve — if the person stops drinking and receives treatment (thiamine supplementation, nutrition, support). This is why a correct diagnosis is so important: the path is different. See the GP and be completely honest about the alcohol history — doctors are not there to judge.

In daily life

Do not confront the invented stories ('that never happened!') — confabulation is not corrected by confrontation, and arguing only humiliates. Redirect the conversation naturally. Fixed routines, written reminders, and an alcohol-free environment at home are fundamental. And seek support for yourself too: families facing alcohol + dementia often carry years of wounds — family support groups make a difference.