Recovering from an alcohol use disorder requires eternal vigilance if one is to avoid relapse. If you are in recovery for alcoholism, or know someone who is, it is likely you've heard the saying: “putting down alcohol is the easy part, not picking it back up is the more difficult task.” Those words could not be further from the truth, even setting aside the fact that alcohol withdrawal is no walk in the park.
Unlike other drugs commonly abused, alcohol is unique due to the fact that it is a legal drug. Practically everywhere you go, whether out for a drive or attending a sporting event, it is nearly impossible to not be bombarded by alcohol advertisements or people drinking on any given day. For those trying to recover from alcoholism, the aforementioned sights can trigger one to want to drink—a slippery slope that can lead to a relapse.
A new study has sought to understand how alcohol affects memory, with regard to how humans respond to external stimuli, ScienceDaily reports. In fact, little research has focused on how mind altering substances affect “learning or memory for drug-associated stimuli on humans.” The findings were published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.
The cues in question, include images of both alcohol-related beverages and neutral beverages, such as:
- Beer Bottles
- Liquor Glasses
- Water Bottles
- Soda Cans
