Frontal Assessment Battery in Addiction: A Comparative Study

Introduction: Executive functions, governed by the frontal lobes, are essential for goal-directed behavior and decision-making. The Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) is a brief tool used to detect frontal lobe dysfunction. Substance use disorders (SUDs) are known to impair executive functioning, yet comparative data across substances remain limited in clinical settings. Objectives: To assess and compare executive functioning using the FAB among individuals with alcohol, cannabis, and opioid use disorders and a control group from the normal population. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, comparative study conducted at a tertiary care psychiatry outpatient department. A total of 120 participants aged 18–50 years were selected: 30 each from normal controls, alcohol use disorder, cannabis use disorder, and opioid use disorder groups. The FAB was administered to all participants. Data were analyzed using unpaired t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlation. Results: Mean FAB scores were significantly lower in all SUD groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Cannabis users had the lowest mean FAB score (14.70 ± 2.57), and 10% scored below the clinical cutoff (<12). Significant negative correlations were found between FAB scores and duration of substance use in cannabis (r = −0.596, p = 0.001) and opioid groups (r = −0.369, p = 0.045). Conclusion: Executive dysfunction was observed in all SUD groups, with the greatest impairment in cannabis users. FAB proved to be a useful screening tool in detecting such dysfunctions. Early identification of cognitive deficits can enhance comprehensive management and rehabilitation outcomes in individuals with SUDs.