The impact of post-encoding alcohol consumption on episodic memory recall and remember-know responses in heavy drinkers

Abstract

IntroductionPeople often consume alcohol following trauma, particularly in response to distressing memories. To date, little is known about how post-encoding alcohol consumption influences episodic memory recall for negative events. Understanding these effects may help to improve support for trauma victims – for example, witnesses and victims of crimes.MethodsWe tested 60 participants who self-described as heavy drinkers. After watching an analog trauma film, half were allocated to consuming a moderate dose of alcohol (Alcohol-Exposed group), while half received a placebo drink (Placebo-Control group). Immediately and after a one-week delay, participants recalled the event via free and cued recall tasks. Participants also gave remember-know responses and confidence ratings, elucidating alcohol’s effect on experiential memory.ResultsFree recall performance was similar for the Alcohol-Exposed group and the Placebo-Control group during Sessions 1 and 2. The Alcohol-Exposed group benefitted more from the delayed repeated retrieval attempt. For the cued recall task, the Alcohol-Exposed group provided more “Do not Know” responses compared to the Placebo-Control group in both sessions. For the Alcohol-Exposed group only “Correct Know” responses increased from Session 1 to 2. Although memory performance improved across sessions, confidence levels decreased from Session 1 to 2 in the Alcohol-Exposed group.DiscussionPost-encoding alcohol consumption appears to impact immediate episodic memory retrieval; however, this effect is only temporary in nature. No evidence was found that alcohol primarily reduces remembering responses. Much like previous findings focusing on pre-encoding alcohol consumption (Hagsand et al., 2017), current findings suggest that providing individuals who drank alcohol after witnessing an incident with a delayed repeated retrieval attempt can lead to more complete and accurate testimonies.

Gabaergic Modulation in the Formation of Declarative Memory and Face Recognition

“…One study found that immediate alcohol consumption after an observed traumatic event did not aid in forgetting, but instead leads to more complete recollection over time. Immediate alcohol intake after similar trauma could also lead to later recall of more sensory details (Butterworth et al, 2023). Bruce and Pihl (1997) evaluated the performance of participants who consumed alcohol after encoding through free recall testing and found that when they consumed alcohol after encoding but before recall, they had a better performance in all types of statements that were evaluated (neutral, depressive and euphoric stories).…”