Cognitive processing biases in alcohol use, abuse and dependence

Abstract

This thesis addresses the cognitive processing biases towards threat information that might underlie problem drinking. One reason problem drinkers commonly give for drinking is to cope with negative affect. Cognitive models suggest that alcohol impairs cognitive processes serving the function of escaping threatening cognitions, thus, modifying negative affect. In anxiety disorders, individuals show initial (automatic) preferential attention to threatening information, followed by strategic cognitive avoidance. Similar biases in processing might be seen in problem drinking, contributing to its development and maintenance. However, these biases have not been investigated fully. The paper comments on ways this could be rectified. If threat processing was found to be relevant to problem drinking, clinical implications would include the use of cognitive behavioural strategies to address threat appraisal and avoidance.

The empirical study tested the hypothesis that abstinent problem drinkers will demonstrate initial attentional biases towards, and strategic cognitive avoidance of, self-esteem threats and alcohol-related cues using two paradigms. Participants consisted of a clinical group of abstinent alcohol dependent individuals and a non-clinical control group. The clinical groups showed an attentional bias toward alcohol cues compared to the control group. However, a similar bias was not seen toward self-esteem threats. There was no evidence of cognitive avoidance and to alcohol-related or self-esteem threats. In conclusion, the clinical group revealed a processing style compatible with their problem drinking pathology. However, threat processing appeared not to be a core part of the clinical group's psychopathology, although, further research needs to be done before more confident conclusions can be made.

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