Abstract
Disrupting the process of memory reconsolidation could be a promising treatment for addiction. However, its application may be constrained by the intensity of addiction memory. This study aimed to develop and initially validate a new measure, the Addiction Memory Intensity Scale (AMIS), for assessing the intensity of addiction memory in illicit drug users. Two studies were conducted in China for item analysis (n = 345) and initial validation (n = 1550) of the AMIS. The nine-item AMIS was found to have two factors (labelled Visual Clarity and Other Sensory Intensity), which accounted for 64.11% of the total variance. The two-factor structure provided a reasonable fit for sample data and was invariant across groups of different genders and different primary drugs of use. Significant correlations were found between scores on the AMIS and the measures of craving. The AMIS and its factors showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α: 0.72–0.89) and test-retest reliability (r: 0.72–0.80). These results suggest that the AMIS, which demonstrates an advantage as it is brief and easy to administer, is a reliable and valid tool for measuring the intensity of addiction memory in illicit drug users, and has the potential to be useful in future clinical research.
Highlights
Addiction memory is conceptualized as a pathological memory related to addictive behaviors [1,2]
Even after long-term abstinence, addiction memory can be reactivated upon re-exposure to substance-related cues and associated with a craving that results in relapse [2,3]
This study develops and initially validates a new measure to assess the intensity of addiction memory in illicit drug users
Summary
Addiction memory is conceptualized as a pathological memory related to addictive behaviors [1,2]. Even after long-term abstinence, addiction memory can be reactivated upon re-exposure to substance-related cues and associated with a craving that results in relapse [2,3]. Several studies have found that disrupting the reconsolidation of drug-related memory can reduce craving, attention bias, or drug-using behavior [4,5,6,7], indicating that addiction memory can be manipulated during reconsolidation. Several “boundary conditions” may constrain the application of memory reconsolidation in addiction treatment [8,9]. A valid measurement for assessing the intensity of addiction memory is needed before examining the impact of memory intensity on reconsolidation propensity
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