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

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.