What is a common long-term effect of chronic alcohol use on cognition?

Chronic alcohol use is associated with significant changes in brain structure and function, leading to various cognitive deficits. Neurocognitive deficits can manifest as impairments in memory, attention, problem-solving, and overall executive functioning. These deficits are the result of both direct neurotoxic effects of alcohol on brain cells and indirect effects stemming from nutritional deficiencies and lifestyle factors often associated with heavy drinking.

Individuals with long-term alcohol use may experience difficulties in acquiring new information, recalling previously learned information, and performing tasks that require complex cognitive processes. This degradation in cognitive abilities can have profound effects on daily functioning and quality of life.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the established evidence on the cognitive effects of chronic alcohol consumption. For instance, improved memory retention or heightened stress resilience do not occur as consistent outcomes of chronic alcohol use; rather, these are generally the opposite of what is observed. While there may be an association between alcohol use and increased risk of anxiety disorders, it is not a direct cognitive effect and doesn't specifically address the cognitive impairments linked to chronic use. Therefore, the development of neurocognitive deficits is clearly the most pertinent and well-documented long-term effect of chronic alcohol consumption on cognition.