Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: jimbobghost on 03/11/2018 16:23:59

Title: Do alcoholics have higher or lower IQs?
Post by: jimbobghost on 03/11/2018 16:23:59

overall, do alcoholics test over or under the norm?

there are/have been a number of people believed to be identified as alcoholics, who appear to be/have been of a high IQ.
still, many alcoholics (derelicts/homeless) appear to have lower IQs.

have any studies been made to determine if alcoholism has any relationship to IQ?...perhaps high IQ leading to alcohol abuse; or conversely alcohol abuse leading to a lower IQ?

Title: Re: Do alcoholics have higher or lower IQs?
Post by: chris on 03/11/2018 22:31:56

I think the evidence points to a higher rate of drug and alcohol abuse at both extremes of the social and intellectual spectrum; but chronic alcohol use will lead to progressive brain damage and atrophy (alcoholic encephalopathy), so even a person who begins with a higher IQ will end up with a lower one.