AIMS: Previous studies have shown that abstinent heroin addicts exhibit an attentional bias to heroin-related stimuli. It has been suggested that attentional bias may represent a vulnerability to relapse into drug use. In the present study, the predictive value of pre-treatment attentional bias on relapse was examined in a population of abstinent heroin addicts. Further, the effect of cue exposure therapy (CET) on attentional bias was studied. DESIGN: Participants were assigned randomly to receive nine sessions of CET or placebo psychotherapy. SETTING: An in-patient drug abuse treatment setting. PARTICIPANTS: Abstinent heroin-dependent patients. MEASUREMENTS: Participants completed the emotional Stroop task both before and after completing treatment. FINDINGS: Pre-treatment attentional bias predicted relapse at 3-month follow-up, even when controlling for self-reported cravings at the test session. Further, attentional bias was reduced in both groups after therapy, independent of treatment condition. CONCLUSIONS:Attentional bias may tap an important component of drug dependence as it is a predictor of opiate relapse. However, CET does not specifically reduce attentional bias.
RCT Entities:
AIMS: Previous studies have shown that abstinent heroin addicts exhibit an attentional bias to heroin-related stimuli. It has been suggested that attentional bias may represent a vulnerability to relapse into drug use. In the present study, the predictive value of pre-treatment attentional bias on relapse was examined in a population of abstinent heroin addicts. Further, the effect of cue exposure therapy (CET) on attentional bias was studied. DESIGN:Participants were assigned randomly to receive nine sessions of CET or placebo psychotherapy. SETTING: An in-patient drug abuse treatment setting. PARTICIPANTS: Abstinent heroin-dependent patients. MEASUREMENTS: Participants completed the emotional Stroop task both before and after completing treatment. FINDINGS: Pre-treatment attentional bias predicted relapse at 3-month follow-up, even when controlling for self-reported cravings at the test session. Further, attentional bias was reduced in both groups after therapy, independent of treatment condition. CONCLUSIONS: Attentional bias may tap an important component of drug dependence as it is a predictor of opiate relapse. However, CET does not specifically reduce attentional bias.
Authors: Brian A Anderson; Sharif I Kronemer; Jessica J Rilee; Ned Sacktor; Cherie L Marvel Journal: Neurobiol Dis Date: 2015-10-17 Impact factor: 5.996
Authors: Colleen A Hanlon; Logan T Dowdle; Thomas Naselaris; Melanie Canterberry; Bernadette M Cortese Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2014-08-10 Impact factor: 4.492