Relationship between personality patterns of brain- behavioral Systems, attention bias and pre-attention bias in patients with dependent on methamphetamine

Introduction: Today, substance abuse is one of the major problems in societies and has become more prevalent among young people. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between personality patterns of brain behavioral systems and attention and pre-attention bias in patients dependent on methamphetamine. Method: The research was conducted using causal - comparative design. The population from which sample was drawn were all male patients dependent on methamphetamine in TAKAB. 30 people selected based on convenience sampling were compared with control groups. Both groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic variables. Research tools include probe dot task, Gray-Wilson's personality questionnaire (GWPQ), unstructured clinical interview and demographic questionnaire. In order to analyze data in addition to description statistic, the Pearson correlation coefficient and independent t-test were used. Results: The research findings revealed that the patients who have high score in Behavioral activation system, especially Drive sub system showed more attention-bias in terms of substance provoking words than other patients. There was no difference among the subjects regarding the pre attention bias. Conclusion: Considering the fact that the attention bias and brain-behavioral systems play an important role in relapse and re-use of substances, identification and understanding of these factors in treatment seem necessary.