Memory/cognitive testing

[Fred_The_Cat]

I have suspected memory problems from the past ten years of drinking by the things going on at work, so I looked into a memory testing iPad app used to detect Alzheimer's onset. I won't shill it here, but that's enough into to find it if you're interested.

The test throws a battery of images at you and you touch the screen when you see a repeat. It felt mind numbingly easy- until I got the results. I had recognized 22 of 25 images which suggested mild memory problems.

This was on a relatively good day with adequate sleep and several days of sobriety under my belt. God knows what my score would have been on a hung over insomniac morning.

I got the idea to check into this after reading this page:
Myths and Facts about Alcohol and Brain Damage

It said that memory should improve within 2 months to a year of sobriety. Another site on the same subject said that attempts at sobriety are hampered by the cognitive impairment because you keep forgetting why exactly you've committed yourself to the goal.

[little beagle]

Memory/cognitive testing

I get it Fred. Sorry but I found that funny. It's like I drink to forget but I forget why I don't want to drink.
Have a nice af evening.

[Fred_The_Cat]

Memory/cognitive testing

Wow. This was a shocker. I went to a website that collects data for cognitive research and found my standing among the rest of the population- about 38th percentile overall, which was shocking but not surprising.

It seems like lowering my expectations of what I want to accomplish is in order- like just being sober long enough to heal and staying that way.

I do feel comfortable shilling this one because it's for research unlike the other paid app I got.

Welcome - Cambridge Brain Sciences

I've been tracking my weight, medications, exercise and calories so I might as well track this too (probably on a weekly basis). It shows where you are improving and how fast so hopefully there will be an upward trend.

[bleep]

Memory/cognitive testing

Memory can be trained and improved with some relatively simple daily exercises, up to a fairly astonishing degree. If you are really concerned, look into mnemonics. After you have done them for a while it becomes second nature, and you will be astonished at the difference. There are various programmes available, but they are not necessary - the major mnemonic systems are well understood and readily available if you take a look. There are relatively simple ones, and ones that take a lifetime to master if you want to go to the extremes. All the amazing feats of memory are done using variants of these simple systems.

Why this isn't taught in schools is beyond me.

[kronkcarr]

Memory/cognitive testing

I'm just short of 10 months on bac and lately I'm having a new wave of memory. Not that it matters to me, but I'm able to remember last names of people I knew in the 70s and 80s. I'm also on a well thought out doable plan to clean up my finances and, surprisingly, I'm happy and grateful about it.

[Samandkatharine]

Memory/cognitive testing

Neuro plasticity. Lumocity.com is taking this concept and making money. My daughter used a version of this to help with her ADD. The brain will recover.

4 months on Bac and my short term memory is coming Bac....👍

[spiritwolf333]

Memory/cognitive testing

Hi Fred -I've communicated with a few friends here on this site (recently) about this memory issue and cognitive functioning. Short term memory has always been a small issue for me but alcohol turned it into a nightmare. With each former attempt to quit drinking, the memory recovery time took longer. This time around, it seems like it is taking much longer (6 mo-af).
Cass had pointed out that stress can have a negative impact on memory and he was spot-on in my case.

My wife and I downloaded the Eienstein brain game app. It's kind of fun but can be extremely challenging. She has been kicking my ass in scoring lately so I have got ego issues to contend with as well. If u do download the ipad app, let me know and we get some challenge games going -until u start winning and I quit.