Selective Memory for Alcohol Cues in Alcoholics and Its Relation to Craving

Abstract

There is evidence that alcoholics and abstinent alcoholics display a cognitive processing bias that may contribute to relapse and recurrence after abstinence. The current hypothesis was that abstinent alcoholics would demonstrate enhanced memory for alcohol-related pictures (memory bias) compared to nonalcoholic drinkers. In addition, it was hypothesized that there would be a positive relation between alcohol craving and this memory bias. The cognitive processing of alcohol cues was compared to general incentive cues (food) and neutral cues in a group of alcoholics (n = 26) and nonalcoholic (light) drinkers (n = 24). Alcoholics showed enhanced memory for alcohol cues compared to neutral or general incentive cues. Moreover, the magnitude of this bias was positively correlated with alcohol craving. This study provides evidence for the presence of a memory bias for alcohol cues in alcoholics. This memory bias possibly results in enhanced alcohol craving. Implications for further study and treatment of alcoholism are discussed.