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Memory Disorders and Addiction

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Book cover Textbook of Addiction Treatment: International Perspectives

Abstract

Memory is a very complex function and it can be affected adversely by almost all substances that are liable to abuse. The totality of memory problems and other cognitive changes will influence profoundly a patient’s ability to live and function independently. The effect of substances may be cumulative and can be caused by direct acute or chronic pharmacological action and withdrawal, through secondary mechanisms such as vascular or hepatic damage, and will be also be influenced by the patient’s physical, psychiatric, and psychological state. In this chapter the known effects of commonly abused substances are summarized with reference to clinical features and recent brain imaging studies. Memory problems may have a major influence on the ability of patients to interact with treatment, and therefore evidence of memory and other cognitive impairments should be sought for always.

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Crome, P., Bloor, R., Crome, I.B. (2015). Memory Disorders and Addiction. In: el-Guebaly, N., Carrà, G., Galanter, M. (eds) Textbook of Addiction Treatment: International Perspectives. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5322-9_117

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