A Comparison of Attentional Bias Towards Drug Cues in Addicts and Non-Addicts

BACKGROUND: According to recent theories on addiction, attentional bias towards drug-related stimuli plays a pivotal role in the initiation of drug abuse. OBJECTIVES: The present study attempted to investigate attentional bias towards drug-related words in addicts and non-addicts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: To attain the objectives, following a causal-comparative study, a number of 15 addicts under treatment in anonymous groups, and 15 non-addicts from among students at Isfahan University were selected through available sampling. Both groups were evaluated through Stroop test, and the results were analyzed adopting independent t-test. Findings: as indicated by the findings, a significant difference was observed in the two groups concerning color-naming accuracy (P < 0.05, X(2) (1) = 3.896) as well as reaction time (P < 0.0001, X(2) (1) = 17.404). The calculated difference between accuracy and reaction time for congruent and incongruent stimuli was significant. RESULTS: The results showed that there was a significant difference between the average reaction time of the two groups. In terms of the number of errors, however, no significant difference was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The attentional bias of drug addicts is associated with drug-related cues or the temptation for drug abuse.