TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2016//
TI  - Attentional biases in patients with alcohol dependence: influence of coexisting psychopathology
JO  - Human psychopharmacology
A1  - Sinclair, Julia M. A.
A1  - Garner, Matthew
A1  - Pasche, Sonja C.
A1  - Wood, Thomas B.
A1  - Baldwin, David S.
SP  - 395
EP  - 401
VL  - 31
IS  - 6
N2  - OBJECTIVE: The effects of coexisting psychopathology on disorder-specific attentional biases in patients with alcohol dependence are uncertain. We undertook a cross-sectional study assessing attentional biases to alcohol-, depression-, and anxiety- related stimuli using the visual probe task in patients with alcohol dependence, attending a community alcohol service. <br><br>METHODS: Using the visual probe task, we presented disorder-specific words (relating to alcohol, anxiety, and depression) for 500 ms and measured reaction times. <br><br>RESULTS: Participants demonstrated a significant attentional bias towards alcohol-related cues (mean 8.5, p = 0.03) but significant avoidance of depression-related cues (mean -8.4, p = 0.01). The subgroup of participants who were recently abstinent (n = 70) showed greatest avoidance of depression-related cues (t(69) = 2.68, p < 0.01) but no significant vigilance towards alcohol or anxiety cues, whereas those still drinking (n = 43) showed attentional biases towards alcohol-related (t(42) = 2.70, p = 0.01) and social anxiety-related cues (t(42) = 2.84, p < 0.01). In the whole sample, the magnitude of attentional bias to alcohol was not correlated with length of drinking history, number of comorbid conditions, or severity of anxiety/depression. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: In a clinical sample of alcohol-dependent patients, further investigation is required to explore whether these attentional biases reflect current drinking status or factors indicating prognosis.<br><br>Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0885-6222
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hup.2549
ID  - ref1
ER  -