Implicit activation of alcohol concepts by negative affective cues distinguishes between problem drinkers with high and low psychiatric distress.

This study tested the hypothesis that negative affective (NEG) cues activate alcohol concepts more strongly in problem drinkers with high rather than low psychiatric distress (PD) and that a parallel difference applies to activation of NEG concepts by alcohol cues. A lexical decision task assessed memory activation in 36 problem drinkers with high vs. low scores on the Symptom Checklist-90. High PD drinkers displayed activation in each condition; low PD drinkers displayed inhibition. Activation of alcohol concepts by NEG cues correlated with intensity of PD, bias to drink in NEG states, and confidence to avoid drinking in these states. Results corroborate in vivo cue reactivity studies and indicate a functional difference between problem drinkers with high and low PD.