Changes of attentional bias in patients with alcohol use disorder during abstinence: A longitudinal study

Abstract

Background

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is linked to an attentional bias towards alcohol-related cues (e.g. images, smells), which acquire incentive properties and promote continued consumption.

Method

We investigated how the general and alcohol attentional bias evolved longitudinally in AUD patients along two periods of abstinence: t = 0 (baseline, 1–3 months of abstinence) and t = 1 (follow-up; 6 months of abstinence), as well as their relationship with alcohol-related variables. General and alcohol-specific attentional bias were evaluated by the Classic and the Alcohol Stroop tests (neutral and alcohol conditions) in abstinent AUD patients and controls.

Results

At t = 0, the AUD group exhibited both general and alcohol-specific attentional biases, with greater effect in the general bias. At t = 1, alcohol-specific attentional bias decreased specifically in the AUD group and reached control levels (with interference index levels increasing from 1-3 months to 6 months). However, general attentional bias showed a trend toward improvement but it did not significantly change through abstinence process (linear mixed models, controlling for age, BMI, sex and education).

Conclusions

In AUD patients, general and alcohol attentional biases exhibit different trajectories during abstinence, with the attentional bias toward alcohol improving significantly throughout this process whereas general attentional bias is maintained.