A clear yes is the anser to this question. Constant abuse can damage your brain- having a toxic influence on neurones and being the main risk-factor for the Korsakov-syndrome, an illness leading to sudden, irreversible loss of memory. Is it worth it to stop drinking if you've been going at it for many years rather strongly? It is indeed, as a cut-down on drink will slow the further loss of memory and allow to recuperate - to some degree, even. On the other hand, having just 1 alcoholic drink a day (as a maximum) can lower your risk of dementia in old age and is said (but not quite proved) to lower the risk of a stroke. Never mind what our scientists say - when in Mongolia I've met a very very old man and he was drinking 1 small glass of home-made wild ginseng-root brandy very 1st thing every morning- claiming that it's this that helped him to grow old in good health. He let me taste it and - huggg- it was like - well - medicine. European doctors recommend 1 small glass of red wine a day.