Attentional bias predicts heroin relapse following treatment

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.