Differences of photographs inducing craving between alcoholics and non-alcoholics.

Full Abstract

Many researchers have used cue reactivity paradigm to study alcohol craving. But the difference of craving response to drinks between alcoholic patients and social drinkers was little evaluated. To investigate characteristics of alcohol-related visual cues which induce alcohol craving in alcoholism, we examined the response of subjects to alcohol-related cues considering qualitative aspects. The authors developed 27 photographs related to alcohol as candidate visual cues. Thirty five patients with alcohol dependence, 35 heavy drinkers and 35 social drinkers were shown these pictures and asked to rate these 6 pictures in order of inducing alcohol craving the most. 'A glass of Soju' and 'A Party scene' were chosen as the alcohol-related visual cues which induced craving the most in the patients and heavy drinkers, respectively. The results suggest that the patients with alcohol dependence are more absorbed by alcohol without drinking context such as an atmosphere or situation involving drinking. Heavy drinkers may experience craving in anticipation of being in a drinking situation.

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Author information

Author/s: Lee, Eun (E); Namkoong, Kee (K); Lee, Choong Heon (CH); An, Suk Kyoon (SK); Lee, Byung Ook (BO);

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 134 Shinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, Korea.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Yonsei medical journal (Yonsei Med J), published in Korea (South). (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Aug; vol 47 (issue 4) : pp 491-7

Dates: Created 2006/08/30; Completed 2007/01/17;

PMID: 16941738, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Alcohol Drinking
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic Intoxication
Alcoholism - pathology; psychology
Behavior
Brain - physiopathology
Cues

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