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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2018 Jan 17.
Published in final edited form as: Prog Brain Res. 2017 Oct 6;235:239–264. doi: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2017.08.013

Table 3.

An RDoC-Oriented Frameworka for the Cartooned Brain-Based Psychoeducation Development to Promote Brain Recovery During Abstinence Among People With Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders

RDoC Domains RDoC Constructs Neurocognitive Symptoms Examples of Strategies and Exercises

Negative valence system Acute threat
Potential threat
Anxious feeling
Anhedonia
Attentional bias to threat
Exposure to avoided situations
Reappraisal of negative cognitions
Reducing environmental cues that activate negative emotions
Positive valence system Reward valuation
Willingness to work
Initial responsiveness to reward attainment
Hypervaluation of the substance- related stimuli
Reluctance to do previously enjoyable activities
Engage in pleasant or reinforcing activities
Remind oneself of previous positive memories
Savor current positive experiences
Engage in altruistic behaviors
Cognitive system Attention
Memory
Movement and speech
Decision making and control
Attentional bias to substance-related stimuli
Difficulties in multitasking
Impairment of shifting attention
Memory deficits in recalling recent information
Difficulties in finding right words
Impairment in coordination and dexterity
Making impulsive decisions
Mood instability
Interoceptive impairment
Use compensatory strategies (calendar use, mnemonic strategies, paraphrase)
Stay cognitively active (through doing brain games, taking classes to learn new information)
Practice mindfulness
Social processes Perception of self
Perception of others
Social communications
Lack of self-awareness
Denial of disease
Refusing to receive treatment
Overestimation of one’s power to control consumption
Difficulties in self-expression
Low ability to interpret social cues
Difficulties in making friends
Engage in social activities
Utilize one’s social support
Practicing communication skills
Reappraise negative cognitions about the self or others
Practice compassion for others
Arousal and regulatory system Sleep–wakefulness
Arousal
Sleep–wake dysregulation
Sleep-time hyperarousal
Day-time hypoarousal
Sleep hygiene practices
Staying consistent with activities of daily living (e.g., showering)
Practicing relaxation techniques (progressive muscle relaxation, spa activities)
a

The content presented in posters 1 and 3 (Fig. 2, right and left panels) is specifically designed based on RDoC model, while poster 2 includes general health strategies for early abstinence.