Abstract
Current cognitive models of addiction imply that speeded detection and increased distraction from substance cues might both independently contribute to the persistence of addictive behavior. Speeded detection might lower the threshold for experiencing craving, whereas increased distraction might further increase the probability of entering a bias-craving-bias cycle, thereby lowering the threshold for repeated substance use. This study was designed to examine whether indeed both attentional processes are involved in substance use disorders. Both attentional processes were indexed by an Odd-One-Out visual search task in individuals diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD; n = 63) and cannabis use disorder (CUD; n = 28). To test whether the detection and/or the distraction component are characteristic for AUD and CUD, their indices were compared with matched individuals without these diagnoses (respectively, n = 63 and n = 28). Individuals with CUD showed speeded detection of cannabis cues; the difference in detection between AUD and the comparison group remained inconclusive. Neither the AUD nor the CUD group showed more distraction than the comparison groups. The sample size of the CUD group was relatively small. In addition, participants made relatively many errors in the attentional bias (AB) task, which might have lowered its sensitivity to detect ABs. The current study provided no support for the proposed role of increased distraction in CUD and AUD. The findings did, however, provide support for the view that speeded detection might be involved in CUD. Although a similar trend was evident for AUD, the evidence was weak and remained therefore inconclusive.
Highlights
Current cognitive models of addiction point to the relevance of heightened attentional capture of substance-relevant cues in the persistence of addictive behavior (Wiers et al, 2007; Gladwin and Figner, 2015)
With regard to the distraction index, we found moderate evidence in favor of the null hypothesis with a BF01 of 4.18, suggesting that individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) did Attentional Bias in Cannabis Use Disorder For the second multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), there were no violations of the assumptions
The current study used an Odd-One-Out visual search task (OOOT), to examine if individuals diagnosed with AUD or cannabis use disorder (CUD) are characterized by speeded detection of substance-relevant cues and/or increased attentional distraction by these cues
Summary
Current cognitive models of addiction point to the relevance of heightened attentional capture of substance-relevant cues in the persistence of addictive behavior (Wiers et al, 2007; Gladwin and Figner, 2015). As suggested by studies in the field of anxiety and eating research, both cognitive mechanisms might be independently (and differentially) involved in the persistence of disorders (e.g., Grafton and MacLeod, 2014; Jonker et al, 2019a), which in turn might have relevant implications for treatment This points to the importance of further investigating the role of AB in addiction by using measurement procedures that allow to compute separate indices of speeded detection and increased distraction (cf Jonker et al, 2019b)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
