What is the technical name for chronic mental impairments caused by long-term heavy alcohol use?

The technical name for chronic mental impairments resulting from long-term heavy alcohol use is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. This syndrome consists of two separate conditions: Wernicke encephalopathy, which involves acute neurological disturbances due to thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, and Korsakoff syndrome, which results in chronic neurocognitive impairments, including significant memory deficits and confabulation. Individuals with this syndrome may display confusion, ataxia, and memory problems.

While "alcoholic dementia" can describe cognitive decline associated with heavy alcohol use, it is not the specific clinical diagnosis recognized in medical literature and lacks the distinct components and pathology associated with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Cirrhosis refers to liver damage due to chronic alcohol use, and neuropathy refers to nerve damage, which can also be a consequence of alcohol abuse but does not specifically relate to the cognitive impairments described in this context.