Conditions we support
Korsakoff syndrome and alcohol related brain damage support
Support without judgement.
About the condition
Understanding Korsakoff syndrome and alcohol related brain damage
Alcohol related brain damage (ARBD) is the name for brain damage linked to long term heavy drinking. It can be caused by the direct effects of alcohol on the brain, by a lack of thiamine (vitamin B1), or by head injuries that happen while drinking.
Korsakoff syndrome is one form of ARBD. It is caused by a severe lack of thiamine. Heavy drinking is the most common reason for this, because it affects eating and how the body absorbs thiamine. Korsakoff syndrome mainly affects memory, especially the ability to form new memories. Some people fill memory gaps with stories they believe are true. This is not lying. It's the brain filling in the blanks.
Korsakoff syndrome often follows an illness called Wernicke encephalopathy. Together they are sometimes called Wernicke Korsakoff syndrome.
ARBD is different from most types of dementia. If the person stops drinking and eats well, the damage may not get worse, and some people improve over time. Support works best when it is steady, kind and practical.
Sudden confusion, very unsteady walking or unusual eye movements in someone who drinks heavily or hasn't been eating can be signs of Wernicke encephalopathy. This is a medical emergency. Call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Daily life
How it can affect daily life
The effects depend on the person and how much damage there is.
Memory.
Trouble remembering recent events and learning new things. Older memories are often clearer.
Planning and decisions.
Trouble with money, appointments, cooking and keeping a routine.
Insight.
The person may not be aware of their memory problems. This is part of the condition.
Balance.
Some people have unsteady walking and a higher risk of falls.
Health.
Liver, heart and nutrition problems can need ongoing care from the GP.
Mood and relationships.
Depression and anxiety are common. Relationships may have been strained. Families need support too.
Our support
How we support people living with Korsakoff syndrome and ARBD
We focus on a safe home, regular meals, steady routines and getting the person back to things they enjoy. We work alongside the person's GP and any alcohol and other drug or mental health services they use. We support recovery without judgement.
Supported Independent Living
A stable home with 1:1 or 2:1 support, in 10 regions.
Medium Term Accommodation
A home sourced in 5 to 7 days, for up to 90 days, for people leaving hospital while the long term plan comes together.
Dementia Home Care
Help with meals, shopping, routines, medicines and getting to appointments.
Community Participation
Building a week with purpose: interests, community connections and roles that matter.
Specialist Support Coordination
Specialist coordination for complex needs, including co-occurring psychosocial disability.
High Intensity and Complex Care
Support for changed behaviours, exit seeking (trying to leave home) and complex health needs, with Registered Nurse oversight.
Our team
Our team is trained for this.
Our team works with respect and without judgement.
- Every person on our team is dementia trained, in every role.
- Every support worker completes a one week intensive induction before their first shift.
- Advanced Maybo training before the first shift, with refresher training every two months.
- Every worker is trained on the person's own functional capacity assessment and behaviour support plan before their first shift with them.
- Monthly group clinical supervision with a clinical psychologist.
Funding
Korsakoff syndrome, ARBD and the NDIS
Some people with Korsakoff syndrome or alcohol related brain damage are eligible for the NDIS. Because some people improve after they stop drinking, the NDIS will want evidence that the impairment is likely to be permanent. The treating team can advise when the evidence is ready.
Who can apply to the NDIS
To become an NDIS participant, a person generally needs to:
- be under 65 when they apply
- live in Australia
- be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or a Protected Special Category Visa holder
- have a permanent impairment that substantially reduces their ability to manage everyday activities.
People who join the NDIS before they turn 65 can stay in the NDIS after 65. We can help gather evidence and guide you through the access process.
Reports should describe how memory and thinking affect daily life now. We can help you work out what's needed.
In their words.
“As a referring clinician, I need to trust that the providers I recommend can match the complexity of my patients' conditions. Dementia Care Queensland is the only NDIS provider I refer dementia patients to without hesitation. Their coordinators ask the right questions, understand disease progression, and plan ahead.”
“We'd been through three support coordinators before we found Dementia Care Queensland. None of them really understood Dad's condition, they were juggling too many clients, too many diagnoses. Our coordinator here is different. She calls before we even know we need her. She's already thought about what Dad's going to need in six months. That kind of proactive care, we'd never experienced it before.”
“Mum has Lewy Body Dementia. Her needs change day to day, sometimes hour to hour. We'd tried three different agencies before Dementia Care Queensland and none of them could keep up. Now, the same two workers come every week. They know her routines. They know her triggers. They know when she's having a hard day before she does. That consistency, that knowledge, has changed everything for our family.”
Questions about Korsakoff syndrome and ARBD
This page is general information, not medical advice. For advice about your own health or care, talk to your GP or specialist. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Respect, routine and a fresh start.
Call any time, day or night. Referrals answered the same business day, always within 24 hours.