Computerized Working-Memory Training as a Candidate Adjunctive Treatment for Addiction

Alcohol Res. 2014;36(1):123-6.

Abstract

Alcohol and other drug dependencies are, in part, characterized by deficits in executive functioning, including working memory. Working-memory training is a candidate computerized adjunctive intervention for the treatment of alcoholism and other drug dependencies. This article reviews emerging evidence for computerized working memory training as an efficacious adjunctive treatment for drug dependence and highlights future challenges and opportunities in the field of working-memory training, including duration of training needed, persistence of improvements and utility of booster sessions, and selection of patients based on degree of deficits.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Medical Informatics Applications*
  • Memory, Short-Term / physiology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / therapy*