Neuropsychology of Substance Use Disorders.

Abstract

The lifetime prevalence rates for alcohol and drug use disorders are 18.2% and 6.1%, respectively. Males are two to three times more likely to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder than females. Substance use disorders are often chronic, debilitating, and associated with increased mortality rates, homelessness, and utilization of health care systems. As a result, substance use disorders are enormously costly, with estimates of yearly costs reaching $300 billion. Neuropsychological testing has been used extensively to evaluate individuals with substance use disorders because substances can cause a wide range of neurocognitive deficits. These deficits are associated with treatment outcomes and also provide insight into brain regions that are susceptible to the effects of various substances.

Individual Differences in Substance Preference and Substance Use

“…This rather contradictory state of affairs may be partially related to the fact that the aforementioned literature addressed different types of "uppers" and "downers," with different types of such drugs having different subjective and behavioral effects upon the user (Allen & Landis, 1998). Furthermore, there is very little research on how drug preference, recency of drug use, or chronicity of drug use may be related to personality.…”

Cognitive deficits in psychiatric disorders: Current status

“…Newly detoxified alcoholics exhibit relatively intact verbal and general intellectual abilities, but impaired non-verbal abilities 143144. Deficits exist in novel problem-solving, abstract reasoning, and learning and recalling information 144145. Deficits in perceptual–motor abilities, abstract reasoning, and non-verbal learning and memory can persist for months or years 145–147.…”

“…Deficits exist in novel problem-solving, abstract reasoning, and learning and recalling information 144145. Deficits in perceptual–motor abilities, abstract reasoning, and non-verbal learning and memory can persist for months or years 145–147. Neuropsychological test findings with substance-dependent populations also might influence the design of treatment programmes 143148…”

Psychotherapy for Families after Brain Injury

“…The psychotherapist will educate the family about their loved one's mood (e.g., degree of anxiety or depression) and health status, as his or her focus and retention will be enhanced if he or she is not anxious, depressed, fatigued, hungry, or overly caffeinated (Geisler and Polich 1992; Lamport et al 2011; see Lezak et al 2004, for a review;Nehlig 2010;Terry and Phifer 1986). Family members will be advised to discourage their loved one from using alcohol and street drugs (e.g., marijuana, ecstasy), as these substances will further impair his or her learning and recall skills (Allen et al 2006;Battisti et al 2010;Brown et al 2010;see Dell Orto and Power 2000, for a review;Leitz et al 2009;Pitel et al 2007;Rodgers 2000).…”

“…Many of the symptoms associated with drug and alcohol use are similar to those of brain injury; therefore, there can be a synergistic effect between substance use and brain injury, including the worsening of psychiatric symptoms (Miller and Werner 2011). The signs of alcohol intoxication are alcohol odor, nausea, vomiting, stupor, slurred speech, poor balance and coordination, irritability, aggression, mood swings, as well as reduced judgment, impulse control, concentration, and memory (Allen et al 2006;Goforth et al 2010;Miller and Werner 2011). Marijuana use is associated with increased appetite, bloodshot eyes, relaxation, sleepiness, changes in mood states (i.e., euphoria, anxiety, paranoia), laughter and talkativeness, decreased motivation, and impaired judgment, problem solving, attention, and memory (Allen et al 2006;Goforth et al 2010).…”