Which statement about memory and alcohol is true?

Which statement about memory and alcohol is true?

• A. False
• B. Alcohol often improves memory
• C. Alcohol affects memory storage and retention
• D. Memory is unaffected by alcohol

Answer: (C)

Alcohol disrupts memory by interfering with how memories are formed and stored. When drinking, the brain’s encoding of new information is impaired, and the process that stabilizes memories into lasting storage (consolidation) can be disrupted, leading to gaps or complete failures to remember events that occurred while intoxicated. This can result in blackouts or missing memories for periods during intoxication, and retrieval of information learned while drinking may be impaired even after sobriety returns. Because of these effects, alcohol does not improve memory and often reduces the ability to retain information over time.

Alcohol disrupts memory by interfering with how memories are formed and stored. When drinking, the brain’s encoding of new information is impaired, and the process that stabilizes memories into lasting storage (consolidation) can be disrupted, leading to gaps or complete failures to remember events that occurred while intoxicated. This can result in blackouts or missing memories for periods during intoxication, and retrieval of information learned while drinking may be impaired even after sobriety returns. Because of these effects, alcohol does not improve memory and often reduces the ability to retain information over time.