Brain tissue volume losses in the frontal, temporal and select subcortical regions of individuals with alcohol use disorders (AUD) have consistently been reported with volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (for review see (Buhler and Mann, 2011)), and so have deficiencies in executive skills, learning and memory, processing speed, visuospatial skills and working memory (Durazzo and Meyerhoff, 2007; Oscar-Berman, 2000; Stavro et al., 2012). Today, more than half of individuals with AUD who present for treatment also chronically abuse illicit substances (e.g., (Medina et al., 2004)). Substance use disorders have adverse effects on brain biology and function separate from those of AUD (see (Barros-Loscertales et al., 2011; Ersche et al., 2011; Fein et al., 2002; Lim et al., 2008; O’Neill et al., 2001; Cousijn et al., 2012; Matochik et al., 2005; Yucel et al., 2008;Berman et al., 2008; Chang et al., 2007; Thompson et al., 2004; Tobias et al., 2010)).
