Neuropsychological consequences, emotions and length of alcohol abuse: a preliminary study

Authors

  • Giada D'Amico Ca’Dolce - Studio di Psicologia - Belvedere di Tezze sul Brenta, Vicenza
  • Mariagrazia Pasinato Dipartimento per le dipendenze - Distretto di Asolo Azienda ULSS 2 Marca Trevigiana, Treviso
  • Massimo Prior Dipartimento di Salute Mentale – Servizio di Neuropsicologia - Azienda ULSS 2 Marca Trevigiana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13129/3035-062X/prnr-4218

Keywords:

alcohol, abuse, abstinence period, cognitive disorder, emotional disorders

Abstract

Objective: Neuropsychological impairments are prevalent among patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Clinical practice currently lacks neuropsychological assessment and cognitive retraining. This study aims to preliminarily investigate the neuropsychological deficits and emotional characteristics in a population of chronical alcoholics who have been abstinent for nearly 30 days.

Method: Neuropsychological assessment was conduct using the ENB-2 on a group of 22 chronic alcoholics, divided into two subgroups based on the duration of alcohol intake (long term:  ≥22 years, and short term: <22 years). Emotional aspects were evaluated using the TAS-20.

Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups. Frequency distribution of performances was utilized to observe the ENB-2 and the TAS-20 score distribution.

Conclusions: Following 30 days of detoxication, qualitative analysis revealed persistent neurocognitive deficits in the total sample, particularly in executive and visuospatial functions.

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Published

2024-06-20

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Original Articles