Clinical translation and implementation neuroscience for novel cognitive interventions in addiction medicine

Abstract Neuroscience-informed interventions that specifically target cognitive functions may offer a novel strategy for improving outcomes in addiction medicine. As a burgeoning research area of interest, different cognitive interventions are being tested as an adjuvant to standard substance use treatment programs. Based on the underlying neural mechanism(s), these cognitive interventions could be classified into three groups: (1) psychoeducation and metacognitive training (targeting metacognition), (2) cognitive modifications (targeting bottom-up attentional/saliency processes), and (3) cognitive rehabilitation (targeting top-down cognitive control processes). In this chapter, we review different types of neuroscience-informed cognitive interventions that have been explored in research practices. Our aim is to (a) provide a neuroscience-informed conceptual framework depicting different neurocognitive targets for intervention, (b) highlight the importance of using a holistic therapeutic model in addiction treatment to restore/empower optimum levels of various neurocognitive functions, and (c) to discuss the major concerns and limitations regarding implementation of neuroscience-informed cognitive interventions in the addiction medicine.