Memory is a powerful force in the brain, responsible for storing and remembering information. Memories are often tied to emotions and can influence behavior. When a person becomes addicted to a substance, the brain rewires itself to remember the pleasure from taking the substance, which causes them to have intense cravings for it, even if they know it is harmful. These substances can alter the structure and function of certain brain regions, causing cognitive shifts that promote continued substance use. When this occurs, it can cause the brain to operate from a place of habitual memory while decreasing cognitive memory associated with attention, learning, and decision making. Because attention, learning, and decision making are crucial components to being a first responder, understanding how addiction may be affecting you or a loved one is paramount.
Multiple Memory Systems
The multiple memory systems view of addiction suggests that relatively independent systems mediate memory in the brain. It works upon the premise that memory is not a single mental function. Instead, different systems support different kinds of memory in the brain. When addiction occurs in the brain, the multiple memory systems view considers that the hippocampus, dorsal striatum, and amygdala each encode different components of substance-related memories. According to a study on memory systems and the addicted brain:
- The hippocampus encodes knowledge pertaining to cues, events, and stimuli associated with the substance. It is concerned with spatial memory,
- The dorsal striatum encodes associations between the stimuli and behavioral responses, which can cause autonomic behavior responses such as acquiring the substance. It mediates between the stimulus and the response,
- And the amygdala encodes Pavlonian-associated relationships making the substance cues become associated with the substance reward.
When faced with prolonged substance use, these systems become altered in a way that encodes substance-related memory, promoting further alcohol or drug use. When the associations between substance-related stimuli, context, behavior, and reward become strengthened, it can lead to addiction.
Habitual Memory vs. Cognitive Memory
In everyday life, when you initially set about solving a new task, they use purposeful behavior. However, after repeated exposure and training, this behavior becomes autonomous and can be performed with little intention, attention, or cognitive effort, which results in forming a habit. Research suggests that addictive substances can enhance habitual memory functions, accelerating the shift from cognitive to habitual behavior. These researchers hypothesize that considering the competitive interactions between memory systems, some addictive substances can indirectly enhance habitual memory by impairing cognitive memory and functions such as learning, memory, and reasoning. According to a study titled “Addiction and Cognition,” this occurs because the brain regions affected by addiction—such as the hippocampus, dorsal striatum, and amygdala—overlap with the regions that support cognitive functions. With continuous drug-use, these cognitive deficits make it difficult to establish sustained abstinence.
Mental Clarity in Recovery
When a person struggling with substance abuse experiences a craving for drugs or alcohol, the memory of their pleasurable experiences and the strong emotions tied to them can overpower logical thinking and make it very hard to resist taking the substance. To stop substance abuse, an essential part of recovery is making these memories and emotions less potent so the person can resist them.
After a medically supervised detox, an individual in recovery can improve memory and cognition while developing skills to help them in the long run. Achieving such mental clarity can be challenging in early recovery as some people may experience mental fogginess. This can happen because the brain adapted to survive with high amounts of alcohol or drugs, and needs time to readjust. This process can feel overwhelming because while the brain is re-adjusting, the person is also adjusting to a new way of life. It is important to remember that this feeling will fade as the individual progresses.
In some instances, if there is sustained memory loss and mental fogginess, it may indicate that the individual is suffering from a dual diagnosis. This means they have a mental health issue alongside addiction, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress which can affect memory and cognition. Addressing both issues in treatment is crucial for healing and gaining mental clarity. There are certain things that you can do personally in recovery to achieve better focus, concentration, and memory, such as:
- Having a healthy, balanced diet to counteract any nutritional deficiencies that may have affected your memory.
- Meditating and practicing mindfulness or yoga can help you slow down, center your focus, and become more aware in the moment.
- Regularly exercising can help you feel physically better and improve your mental clarity.
- Working out your brain by learning new cognitively challenging activities can help create new neural connections that can expand your brain’s abilities.
First responders and their families experience more acute stress and trauma than the general population, and the statistics are staggering. With years of experience serving First Responders, we have a distinctive view of their career and family life – from new recruit training, wellness visits, peer support services, counseling, crisis support, department training, and long-term treatment. We are here to help. To get in touch with First Responder Wellness, email info@frhealth.com or call 888.443.4898 to connect with our culturally competent team.
