Alcohol brain damage is any damage suffered by the brain as a result of abusive alcohol consumption. This type of injury is referred to as ARBI or alcohol related brain injury. Alcohol brain damage can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption because the alcohol has a toxic effect on the central nervous system, interferes with the body's ability to absorb vitamin B1 which is a vital brain nutrient, can cause dehydration which may lead to the wastage of brain cells, and changes the body's metabolism, heart function and blood supply. In addition, alcohol abuse can lead to falls and other accidents which may result in trauma to the brain. Finally, although the brain will naturally shrink with age, excessive alcohol consumption dramatically increase the rate of shrinkage.