An analysis on cue-induced craving and the related factors among heroin dependence

Abstract

Objective To understand the cue-induced craving, physiological reactions to heroin-related cues, and to explore the factors that impact the cue-induced craving. Methods 369 abstinent heroin addicts were exposed to videotapes of heroin using and simulacrum after the self relaxation. The craving, abstinent symp-toms were measured before and after cue exposures. The physiological reactions were measured by multi-biofeed-back instrument before, during, and after cue exposure. BIS-Ⅱ questionnaire was used to collect information about their impulsive characteristic. Results After cue exposure, the self-reports scores of craving (t=11.24, P< 0.01), physiological index including heart rate((76.6±11.3) beats/min, F=19.23), skin conduct ((7.48± 4.25)μs, F=53.99), pupil size (t=11.73) had significant change in heroin addicts (P<0.01). Logistic regres-sion results showed that the scores of BIS-Ⅱ were related to cue-reduced craving (P=0.001,95% CI: 1.015～1. 065). Conclusions Exposure to drug-related cues can induces craving and physiological reactions in long term abstinence heroin addicts. High impulsive characteristic is a risk factor to induce drug-related craving. The inter-vention strategies should consider the impulsive characteristic and make a comprehensive intervention program to prevent relapse. Key words: Heroin dependence; Cue induce; Psycho-physiology indexDOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1674-6554.2010.01.009