Detected, selected, and sometimes neglected: cognitive processing of cues in addiction.

It is proposed that potential drug cues are evaluated preattentively, are prioritized, and subsequently trigger somatovisceral, behavioral, and cognitive responses. Throughout, this information processing is subjected to automatized attentional and interpretative biases. These processes can enhance subjective awareness of physiological arousal, action tendencies, and cognitions but can also be inhibitory. Accordingly, different components of cue reactivity do not gain equal access to the limited processing resources necessary to generate experience of craving.