title: Attentional bias modification for addictive behaviors: clinical implications.
abstract: When a person has a goal of drinking alcohol or using another addictive substance, the person appears to be automatically distracted by stimuli related to the goal. Because the attentional bias might propel the person to use the substance, an intervention might help modify it. In this article, we discuss techniques that have been developed to help people overcome their attentional bias for alcohol, smoking-related stimuli, drugs, or unhealthy food. We also discuss how these techniques are being adapted for use on mobile devices. The latter would allow people with an addictive behavior to use the attentional training in privacy and as frequently as needed. The attentional training techniques discussed here appear to have several advantages. They are inexpensive, can be fun to use, and have flexibility in when, where, and how often they are used. The evidence so far also suggests that they are effective.
authors.affiliation: 1School of Psychology,Bangor University,Bangor,United Kingdom.
authors.forename: W Miles
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.affiliation: 1School of Psychology,Bangor University,Bangor,United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Javad S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Fadardi
authors.affiliation: 1School of Psychology,Bangor University,Bangor,United Kingdom.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Intriligator
authors.affiliation: 3Division of Social Sciences,University of Minnesota,Morris,USA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Klinger
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D015982:Bias; D006801:Humans