Previous studies have shown in alcohol dependence patients an attentional bias (AB) under related substance cues which can be a factor of relapse. This AB can be evaluated by the “Alcohol Stroop Test” (AST). The AST is a modified Stroop task while participant have to name the color of the word. This word could be alcohol-related word or a neutral word. AB is the response time's difference between alcohol-related words and neutral words. The goal of the current study was to examine the relation between withdrawal hospitalization and AB.

Individuals with alcohol-dependence disorders (DSM IV) and admitted for withdrawal in addictology unit of CHU Clermont-Ferrand (n=42) and participant with no alcohol or psychiatric disorder recruited from colleagues and friends from the staff performed the AST (n=16) (‘Control Group’) were recruited. For inpatients, one group performed the AST in admission (n=19) (‘Admission Group’), and another group immediately before discharge (n=23) (‘Discharge Group’).

Results show an AB only for patients saw at admission (t(18) =2.12; p< .05). Moreover, we observe that the AB in ‘Admission Group’ (M=34 ms, SD= 70.06) is greater than the AB in ‘Control group’ AB (M = 23 ms, SD = 93.42), itself greater than the AB in ‘Discharge Group’ (M = -12 ms, SD=93.55), (t(55) = -1.71; p =.09).

Although, results are preliminary, the present study provides evidence for the evolution of AB during alcohol addiction treatment and for the value of incorporated method to improve AB during detoxification cure.