Many questions remain unanswered with regard to human hippocampal function during periods of alcohol abstinence. For example, it is clear that employing cognitive therapy can support individuals in successful attempts at abstinence. Given that extinction training is being adopted in clinical behavioral therapy to promote recovery from relapse (175), it is critical to investigate similar potential therapeutic strategies (be it behavioral or pharmacological), which will serve this purpose not only to ameliorate the cognitive disparities in these individuals but to facilitate dependent individuals in avoiding relapse to alcohol abuse.
