Effects of contextual priming on reactions to craving and withdrawal stimuli in alcohol-dependent participants.
The researchers investigated craving for alcohol using a computerized contextual priming task involving alcohol-related or alcohol-unrelated words and nonwords under 2 priming conditions in 3 groups of alcohol-dependent participants who had abstained from alcohol for 3 to 14 days, 15 days to 6 months, or more than 6 months. Results indicated that participants who had abstained up to 14 days reacted more slowly to alcohol-related words that followed sentences describing avoidance of withdrawal than did control participants. Furthermore, the first 2 groups of participants reacted more slowly to alcohol-related words that followed craving sentences, compared with neutral words following neutral sentences. The results give preliminary support to the withdrawal and craving models of addiction rather than models that separate craving and withdrawal in early abstinence. Results are discussed in light of current cognitive approaches to alcohol dependence.
Feldtkeller
B
B
Psychopharmacology Unit School of Medical Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom.
Weinstein
A
A
Cox
W M
WM
Nutt
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000436:Alcoholics Anonymous; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003463:Cues; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*