Cognitive Processes After Alcohol Use

Dear Colleagues,

An alcohol hangover encompasses a range of mental and physical symptoms that can manifest after a single episode of alcohol consumption, beginning as blood alcohol concentration approaches zero (Verster et al., 2020). Despite its widespread impact, the effects of alcohol intoxication and hangovers on discrete cognitive processes are still not well understood. This Special Issue will address the effects of alcohol intoxication and hangovers on cognition, acknowledging the complexity and bidirectional nature of this relationship.

Alcohol-induced cognitive impairment can have considerable and far-reaching impacts in certain circumstances, including safety-critical environments, e.g., oil rigs, machinery operation, whilst driving, and in high-stake roles, e.g., witness testimony. Conversely, low to moderate habitual consumption of alcohol may have potential benefits for some cognitive processes (Cansino, Torres-Trejo, Estrada-Manilla & Ruiz-Velasco, 2024). The juxtaposed effects of drinking alcohol highlight the complexity of its influence on cognition and the need to better understand cognitive processing in those who consume alcohol.

In addition to the effects of alcohol consumption on cognition, the effects of cognition on alcohol consumption are also worth noting. For those who abuse alcohol, cognition can play a significant role in the development and progression of alcohol use disorders (AUD; Goldfarb, Fogelman, & Sinha, 2020). For example, biases in episodic and autobiographical memory recall can shape attitudes toward alcohol and influence drinking behaviors. Understanding the role of cognitive bias in the development and progression of AUD can support the cultivation of novel strategies to prevent the development of AUD in those who consume alcohol.

This Special Issue will provide a comprehensive overview of the latest research on alcohol consumption and hangovers, inviting contributions that examine cognitive processes, subsequent health, and social and economic impacts. Specifically, we welcome studies addressing short-term and long-term effects of alcohol use on cognitive processing, including those relating to hangovers, prolonged episodes of consumption, and social drinking. Research on specific groups, such as individuals with health disparities, genetic variations, and biological differences, is welcomed. Interdisciplinary submissions are also encouraged.

References

Cansino, S., Torres-Trejo, F., Estrada-Manilla, C., & Ruiz-Velasco, S. (2024). Does habitual moderate alcohol consumption enhance working memory performance?. Current Psychology, 43(15), 13785-13801.

Goldfarb, E. V., Fogelman, N., & Sinha, R. (2020). Memory biases in alcohol use disorder: enhanced memory for contexts associated with alcohol prospectively predicts alcohol use outcomes. Neuropsychopharmacology, 45(8), 1297-1305.

Verster, J. C., Scholey, A., van de Loo, A. J., Benson, S., & Stock, A. K. (2020). Updating the definition of the alcohol hangover. Journal of clinical medicine, 9(3), 823.

Dr. Lydia Devenney
Guest Editor

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• alcohol hangover
• mental and physical symptoms
• cognitive impairment
• cognition