Key result
Abstinence in 51 alcoholics led to recovery of intellectual functioning during the first 3 weeks, but showed no evidence of continued recovery over six months of abstinence.
Why the study?
Does abstinence improve intellectual functioning in alcoholics?
Does abstinence improve intellectual functioning in alcoholics?
Intellectual functioning in alcoholics recovers primarily within the first 3 weeks of abstinence, plateauing thereafter.
Early cognitive recovery with abstinence in alcoholics may plateau after 3 weeks; leaves open whether longer abstinence yields further gains in prospective studies.
Data from five measures of intellectual functioning indicated a recovery of functioning during the first 3 weeks of abstinence in 51 alcoholics; but there is no evidence that recovery continued over the course of continued abstinence.
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Page et al. (1977) studied this question. Abstinence in 51 alcoholics led to recovery of intellectual functioning during the first 3 weeks, but showed no evidence of continued recovery over six months of abstinence.
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