Attention and substance use

How do attentional bias, being impulsive, inhibition and executive function all relate to substance use?

Specific attentional biases develop due to frequent substance use: 

• Why is attention changed by substance use? The brain has made shortcuts between the cues and the substance after repeated use, so that when you see the substance, your brain goes straight to thinking about its effects. When the substance interacts with the brain, powerful chemicals are released to make you feel good, which further enforces this association.  
• It is important to remember that these shortcuts are not permanent and can be changed. Substance use comes from a learned behaviour that became a habit over time. When facing a trigger, having cravings can often feel “automated”. However, just like how you learned to use substances, it can be unlearned! Your brain will adapt to not having the substance present, but this will take some time.You can go to the Risk Management Module to learn more about changing substance use habits.

Impulsivity, Inhibition and Substance Use:  

• The brain can make shortcuts when exposed to automatic and rewarding cues. This can lead to substance use or drug cravings when you are exposed to your personal drug cues.
• You might feel a big impulse to use drugs when exposed to a drug cue, and you might find it very hard to inhibit this impulse.

Executive Functioning and Substance Use:  

• Drug cues can often be distracting and can prevent you from focusing on other things that are important to you, or things in your environment.
• However, it is important to remember that these brain patterns that impact attention and thinking are not permanent and they can be changed when drug use is reduced or eliminated.

Try some of the following exercises and tips to find your triggers and control your own shortcuts