My wife is 45 years old and has been drinking more than she should
for many years now. Any efforts to convince her to stop were
fruitless and she always insisted that she was drinking less than I
thought.Also because she was self consceous of maintaining her
weight she was always a light eater so consequently was not getting
proper nutrition. About two weeks ago she started saying strange
things and things that were out of context. I took her to our family
doctor and later that night to emergency at the hospital. I couldn't
convince either doctor to admit her to hospital so the next day I
went again and told our family doctor that I wasn't going to take no
for an answer and she was admitted. They now have determined that
she has Wernicke Korsacoff Syndrome and have her taking B1, B12 and
Folic acid as well as good nutrition. Her body is getting stronger
every day but she has profound short term memory loss and is
exhibiting the confabulation and other symptoms that are
characteristic of Korsacoff's Syndrome. We are remaining hopefull
that some of the syptoms will subside and that some of her memory
will come back but either way soon she will need to be moved out of
the hospital.I am wondering if it is feasible for me have her come
home if I hire a live in care giver to watch her while I am at work?
So far I don't mind the confabulation and short term memory loss and
I know I could live with that but what I am really concerned about
is that she will continue to be on the hunt for a drink. We have
removed all the alcohol from the house and have taken away her car
but I am afraid that she may go to any lengths to find a "little
something" and that would mean she would walk out of the house and,
based on how she is now, wouldn't be able to find her way back. Does
anyone know if a person with Korsacoff's can be cured, or
controlled, of the urge for alcohol? I just can't see putting her in
a care facility right now unless it is a short term situation until
she can get as healthy as she can and break the addiction before
coming home. Is this a realistic expectation?