A Comparison of Attentional Bias Towards Drug Cues in Addicts and Non-Addicts

BACKGROUND According to recent theories on addiction, attentional bias towards drug-related stimuli plays a pivotal role in the initiation of drug abuse. OBJECTIVES The present study attempted to investigate attentional bias towards drug-related words in addicts and non-addicts. PATIENTS AND METHODS To attain the objectives, following a causal-comparative study, a number of 15 addicts under treatment in anonymous groups, and 15 non-addicts from among students at Isfahan University were selected through available sampling. Both groups were evaluated through Stroop test, and the results were analyzed adopting independent t-test. FINDINGS as indicated by the findings, a significant difference was observed in the two groups concerning color-naming accuracy (P < 0.05, X(2) (1) = 3.896) as well as reaction time (P < 0.0001, X(2) (1) = 17.404). The calculated difference between accuracy and reaction time for congruent and incongruent stimuli was significant. RESULTS The results showed that there was a significant difference between the average reaction time of the two groups. In terms of the number of errors, however, no significant difference was observed. CONCLUSIONS The attentional bias of drug addicts is associated with drug-related cues or the temptation for drug abuse.