How To Recognise Aphasia As An Addiction Symptom

When we think about addiction, a range of things might come to mind. We might think of the strong cravings for specific substances, uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, disturbed sleep, changeable mood or increase in anxiety. However, there are a range of more obscure addiction symptoms that can also have longer-term effects. One of the less recognised symptoms of addiction is the language disorder known as aphasia. It is possible to experience aphasia in a range of situations – not all individuals dealing with aphasia do so in the context of addiction. However, it is important to know when to identify aphasia as a potential symptom of substance abuse.

What is aphasia?

Aphasia refers to a range of disorders that affect the way that we communicate. This means people with aphasia variably face difficulties with speaking and comprehending language, reading, or writing. Aphasia is caused by damage to the brain’s language centres. The brain is structured to allow for the ‘localisation of function.’ This means that specific areas in the brain have different roles and allow us to fulfil different tasks and functions. Aphasia occurs when there is damage to the areas of the brain linked to language, typically located on the left-hand side of the brain. This means individuals find it difficult to communicate, experiencing changes in their speech patterns, ability to understand spoken language, or their ability to read and write. It is important to note that the development of aphasia is not linked to the reduction in intelligence. Aphasia is a disorder linked to communication, not intellectual capacity.

Types of aphasia

Aphasia is an umbrella term; there are also specific types of aphasia that affect an individual’s ability to communicate in different ways. These include:

• Broca’s aphasia
• Wernicke aphasia
• Transcortical aphasia
• Conduction aphasia
• Mixed aphasia
• Global aphasia

Why is aphasia linked to addiction?

Typically, aphasia develops following some form of brain injury. However, it can also happen as a result of a stroke, a brain infection, a tumour or other form of traumatic brain injury. Aphasia can also be linked to degenerative or neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Aphasia can be a temporary condition, or, in more severe cases, it can be longer lasting.
However, aphasia can also be linked with substance use. When someone has used substances, they may slur their words or find it hard to communicate in the same way as when they were sober. We may think of this as a kind of temporary aphasia. For most people, once the drugs or alcohol in their system have worn off, their language will return to normal.
However, for some individuals, longer-term aphasia can be a result of heavy substance use. In these instances, symptoms of aphasia outlast the intoxicating effects of drink or drugs. This happens when the brain has consistently been exposed to high levels of substances and may subsequently bear significant damage. In these cases, aphasia may be a sign of alcohol-related brain damage (ABRD), alcohol-related dementia or Wernick-korsakoff syndrome.
Drugs and alcohol can enter our brain when they enter our bloodstream. Prolonged or heavy exposure to specific drugs, including alcohol, cannabis and cocaine. However, risk of aphasia can be associated with the abuse of many types of drugs.

Common symptoms of aphasia in relation to addiction

• Changes in speech patterns (including ability to pronounce specific words, speed of speech and any slurring)
• Difficulty comprehending what others are saying
• Difficulties writing
• Commonly replacing specific words with other words
• Only speaking in very short sentences
• Speaking in sentences that are not grammatically clear
• Saying new words or blending other words together

Dealing with aphasia and addiction in healthcare contexts

During addiction recovery, your immediate focus may be on moving forward with addiction treatment and focusing on quelling intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms. However, during your treatment, it is possible that clinicians may notice signs of other conditions that may have developed due to heavy substance use. For this reason, symptoms of aphasia may be investigated during rehab. However, not everyone struggling with substance use attends addiction rehab. This means that diagnosis may work the other way round. It is possible that you could be seeking support for aphasia symptoms and clinicians begin investigating your history with substances.

Because of the link between aphasia and brain trauma, it is common practice for an MRI scan to be conducted in order to investigate if a significant event (such as a stroke) has occurred. Ruling this out allows medical professionals to consider alternative causes of aphasia further. During this stage, they may ask you questions about your substance history in order to consider this link between addiction and aphasia.

However, given that aphasia is a communication disorder, it can often be difficult for individuals to speak openly about their substance use history, given the newly developed language barrier. At this stage, it may be helpful to have a friend or family member to help you answer any questions the medical team may have.
Aphasia as an addiction symptom is a prime example of the need for integrated approaches in recovery, where physical health concerns can be addressed at the same time as your addiction. This necessitates approaching each individual and their various symptoms in a holistic manner, thinking carefully about the nuanced effects addiction can have on our body in order to establish the best form of treatment available.