Abstract

Chronic alcohol abuse has been linked to several cognitive deficits, such as problems with spatial processing, decreased executive functioning, impaired verbal fluency, poor working memory, response inhibition, and social problems such as aggression and social deviance. In order for patients to benefit from treatment, they must be able to utilize multiple cognitive functions. Research has shown that patients suffering from cognitive impairments are much more likely to drop out of treatment early, thereby lending them to higher relapse rates. This study aimed to identify cognitive deficits present in the alcohol addiction treatment population, demographic factors associated with higher levels of cognitive deficits, and whether these patients’ cognitive deficits predict treatment dropout. Results of this study indicated that patients in the addiction treatment program at the LLUBMC evidenced reductions in visuospatial abilities, immediate memory, delayed memory, and overall cognitive function. Further, in this population, below average delayed memory significantly predicted treatment dropout.

LLU Discipline

Clinical Psychology

Department

Clinical Psychology

School

School of Behavioral Health

First Advisor

Owen, Jason E.

Second Advisor

Lee, Grace J.

Third Advisor

Vermeersch, David A.

Fourth Advisor

Whyte, Ricardo

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2014

Date (Title Page)

9-2014

Language

English

Subject - Local

Alcoholism; Alcohol Addiction; Cognitive Deficits; Treatment Dropout; Cognition

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

63

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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