Attention, anxiety and anger in drug-dependents

Abstract

This study had the objective to analyze and compare diffuse attention, complex attention, concentrated attention, anxiety and anger in control subjects and those dependent on alcohol, crack and cocaine. The participants (n = 49) were adult males from 18 to 57 years old, assigned to 3 groups: 1) controls; 2) cocaine/crack dependents; and 3) alcohol and cocaine/crack dependents. They were assessed by Mental Functions General Battery (BGFM 1 and 2); State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The average time of abstinence was 33.05 (DP = 19.52) days. The results showed no statistically significant difference in cognition among the groups studied. However, there was a statistically significant difference in the anxiety and anger levels when comparing the control group to the group of alcohol, cocaine/crack dependents. It is possible to conclude that there was no cognitive deficit in attention, but emotional changes in anxiety and anger in these drug-dependent individuals.