A pattern of perseveration in cocaine addiction may reveal neurocognitive processes implicit in the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test

► We compare set shifting between addicts and controls that completed all WCST sets. ► Extradimensional set shifting was distinguished from task-set switching trials. ► Addict completers perseverated more than controls during initial task-set switch. ► Impairment correlated with recall and withdrawal but not motivation or self control. ► Initial task-set switching implicit in the WCST may rely upon dopamine function.