Experience of emotions in substance abusers exposed to images containing neutral, positive, and negative affective stimuli

Abstract

There is emerging evidence that suggests emotional processes may be involved in the development of addiction, and that emotional alterations may compromise the effectiveness of treatment approaches in substance abuse. Nonetheless, there is a dearth of studies that have examined the experience of emotions in substance abusers, especially with regard to natural affective stimuli that are motivationally relevant for the normal population. The main aims of this study are: (a) to examine possible differences in the experience of emotions of drug-free substance abusers exposed to images containing motivationally relevant stimuli, with regard to a normal population and (b) to examine possible differences in the experience of emotions of substance abusers depending on their drug of choice. We used 25 images from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) to elicit different emotional states, and the Self Assessment Manikin (SAM) to record participants’ subjective experience on three emotional dimensions: valence, arousal, and dominance. We used bifactorial MANOVA to examine subjective emotional ratings as a function of group, and as a function of the kind of image shown. Results showed a differential emotional profile of substance abusers with regard to healthy controls; and different emotional profiles between abusers of a number of substances. These results suggest the experience of emotions may be significantly altered in substance abusers, and that these alterations may play an important role in drug abuse treatment course and results.