Step On A Crack…Or Break Your Mother's Back

My name is Jen.

My mother was a long time alcoholic living with Wernicke-Korsakoff; alcoholics dementia. She died November 30th, 2011. Cause of death: Chronic Alcoholism.

My mother was only 67 when the dementia became a daily hindrance; it had been a problem for at least a decade earlier. It was not diagnosed until she was 69.

She was non-verbal and unable to eat solid foods. She was an intelligent woman no longer able to form new short-term memories. She was living on a secured floor of a nursing home; all thanks to her alcoholics dementia.

Very little is written about alcoholics dementia and it is rarely correctly diagnosed. I believe there are a few reasons for this: alcoholics tend to lie about their usage and children of alcoholics are often alcoholics themselves. diagnosed soon enough and treated correctly, the damage done by Wernicke-Korsakoff can be slowed.

The person suffering must admit they are an alcoholic, quit drinking, go through a medical detox and begin intense Thiamine therapy. Few alcoholics are willing to admit or change their behavior.

Alcohol use is, in my opinion, is one of the curses of our culture. It is a totally socially acceptable way to kill yourself slowly while putting others in harm's way. Alcoholism does more than just harm the drunk; it destroys families too.

I am hoping to clear the air about alcoholics dementia. I will chronicle my mothers decline and how my family has managed to survive intact through it all.

I will not candy coat my experience or that of my mother. This is not a happy story and it is unlikely there will be a happy ending.* (This was written before the death of my mother. There is NOT a happy ending)

This is a cautionary tale. I hope it will be of help to those who live with alcoholics, are active alcoholics and those who are in recovery.

Peace, Jen

© Jennifer Winkel and Step on a Crack...Break Your Mothers Back, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jennifer Winkel and Step on a Crack...Break Your Mothers Back with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.