Impulsivity and decision making in older and younger cocaine-dependent participants: A preliminary study

Abstract

Substance misuse is increasing in the older population, which may have differing effects on behavior compared to younger substance participants. Differences in trait and state impulsivity were assessed in younger and older cocaine-dependent participants. Thirty-one younger cocaine-dependent participants (n = 31) and 21 older cocaine-dependent participants (n = 21) were assessed using the Barrett Impulsiveness Scale-11 and the Immediate Memory Task. Younger participants showed higher trait impulsivity than older participants (p =.027). However, older participants demonstrated higher state impulsivity than younger participants (p =.018). Higher state impulsivity in older cocaine participants suggests that cocaine use may have accelerating effects on the aging brain. This preliminary study adds the limited research on how cocaine use affects normal aging. Current treatments are based on younger adults, therefore the needs of older adults should be taken into consideration and studied more. (Am J Addict 2018;27:557-559).