An important issue in this line of work is to distinguish the impact of duration of drinking and drinking problems on inhibitory control. Alcohol is known to alter cerebral structures and functions and chronic alcohol use compromises executive functioning. However, it remains unclear whether or to what extent alcohol use impacts cerebral functions in nondependent drinking. Further, drinking problems may reflect impulsivity and risk taking that goes beyond alcohol consumption and influence a broader realm of behavior. Because deficits in inhibitory control dispose individuals to alcohol misuse and alcohol consumption further compromises this capacity, breaking the self-perpetuating link is critical to managing alcohol use behavior. It is thus important to distinguish the neural processes underlying drinking problems and the effects of chronic alcohol consumption.
