The role of attention rehabilitation in improving attention of patient having alcohol dependence: A case report

Attention deficits along with other cognitive deficits in patients with alcohol dependence are well documented in literature. The present case report assessed efficacy of attention rehabilitation in a patient diagnosed as having alcohol dependence. Mr. X. a thirty years old male, married, having one child, studied upto 12^th standard, unemployed, belonging to middle socio-economic status, and hailed from rural area of Patna district, Bihar, India. He was brought to Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences (RINPAS), Ranchi, Jharkhand with the chief complaints of consumption of alcohol, showing abusive and assaultive behaviour during effect of alcohol, vomiting, restlessness, tremors and decreased appetite whenever tried to discontinue alcohol. On assessment scores of PGIBBD suggest deficits in cognitive functions. Attention was selected for intervention because it was found grossly impaired. The duration of problem was thirteen years. Attention rehabilitation module [Sohlberg and Mateer (1989)] was used to mediate attention. Attention rehabilitation showed improvement in attention and concentration. Patient was less distracted by internal and external distracters. Sustained, divided and simultaneous attention improved.