Aims

The aim of this project is to explore whether early deficits in social cognition are associated with later substance abuse problems. Previous studies have shown that impairments of social cognition are common amongst individuals who abuse substances. For example, alcohol (1), opiate (2), and tobacco (3) use have all been associated with impaired recognition of facial emotional expression. Additionally, these impairments persist when smokers become abstinent (4) and when alcoholics are detoxified (5), suggesting addicted individuals' may rely upon substances to aid their social cognitive abilities. Furthermore, these deficits are sustained up to ~2 months into sobriety (6). This raises the question of whether it is substance abuse itself that cause these deficits, or whether these deficits lead to substance use (for example, to enhance certain aspects of social cognition).