Which type of brain hemorrhage are alcoholics most likely to experience?

Individuals with a chronic alcohol use disorder are often more likely to experience subdural hemorrhages due to several interrelated factors. Subdural hemorrhages occur when there is tearing of the bridging veins that run between the brain's surface and the outer layer of protective tissue (the dura mater). Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to a number of changes in both the brain and the body's overall physiology that contribute to the increased risk of this type of hemorrhage.

First, alcoholism can result in brain atrophy, which causes the brain to shrink slightly and increases the space between the brain and the skull. This increased space can make the bridging veins more susceptible to tearing, particularly with any kind of trauma or even minor impacts. Furthermore, individuals who consume large amounts of alcohol are at a heightened risk for falls or accidents, which can lead to blunt trauma to the head—one of the common causes of subdural hemorrhage.

Additionally, alcohol can affect normal blood clotting mechanisms and may lead to hepatic dysfunction, which can compound the risk by making bleeding more likely during traumatic events. Because of these factors, alcoholics have a heightened risk for subdural hemorrhages, making it the most likely type of brain hemorrhage they may experience compared to