The Influence of Alcohol in Chronic Cocaine Abuse: A Follow up Study

Background: Alcohol is the substance most commonly abused in combination
with cocaine. Few studies have explored the effect of alcohol on memory recovery of
chronic cocaine users. Moreover, results from these studies are often contradictory.
The current study compared the effects of alcohol in a sample of cocaine dependent
individuals, with and without concomitant alcohol abuse, at early and late abstinence.
Methods: Verbal and non-verbal memory ability was tested in 18 cocaine only (COC)
and 30 dual cocaine and alcohol (CA) dependent participants at 2 weeks and around 3
months after admission to a rehabilitation facility. Verbal immediate and delay
memory were assessed using the Digit Span subset of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence
Scale - Revised (WAIS-R) and the California Verbal Learning test (CVLT); non
verbal immediate and delay memory were measured using the Benton Visual
Retention Test (BVRT) and the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure test (ROCFT). Results: The cocaine participants exhibited a similar memory recovery profile in short
term memory tasks independently of their history of alcohol abuse. However,
significant group differences emerged in delayed memory tasks. On the ROCFT
delayed memory test the CA group performed significantly worse than the COC
group with significantly less improvement in scores during abstinence as well. The
reduced score enhancement during abstinence in theCA group was also observed in
the CVL T delayed memory variables. Conclusions: The present study suggests that
the use of alcohol in combination with cocaine may have an effect on memory
recovery with specific impact on long-term memory tasks.