Abstract
Current cocaine treatments may be enhanced with a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the onset and maintenance of the disease, such as life stress and impulsivity. Life stress and impulsivity have previously been studied independently as contributors to drug use, and the current study expands upon past research by examining how these factors interact with one another. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the role of life stress in predicting impulsivity in a non-treatment seeking cocaine-dependent sample (N = 112). Analyses revealed that trait impulsivity (as measured by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale) was associated with education (r = −3.09, p < 0.01), as those who had higher educational attainment also reported lower rates of trait impulsivity. In addition, those over the age of 30 demonstrated lower impulsivity in decision-making (as measured by delay discounting) than those under 30 (t = 2.21, p = 0.03). Overall exposure to life stress was not significantly correlated to either aspect of impulsivity. However several specific life stressors were significantly related to greater impulsivity including having been put up for adoption or in foster care (t = −2.96, p < 0.01), and having a child taken away against their will (t = −2.68, p = 0.01). These findings suggest that age and education relate to impulsivity; and that while an overall compilation of life stress scores was not related to impulsivity, specific types of stress related to either being taken away from a parent or having a child taken away were. Future studies should assess these constructs longitudinally to restrict response bias.
Highlights
Cocaine-dependence is a significant public health concern and according to the most recent National Drug Use and Health survey, 1.4 million U.S residents are cocaine-dependent (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Public Health Service U.S Department of Health and Human Services, 2010)
When assessed as a continuous variable, education was significantly correlated with Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) scores (r = −0.33, p < 0.01), as those with higher levels of education reported lower rates of trait impulsivity
Having a child taken away from you was significantly related to trait impulsivity, even after accounting for level of education
Summary
Cocaine-dependence is a significant public health concern and according to the most recent National Drug Use and Health survey, 1.4 million U.S residents are cocaine-dependent (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Public Health Service U.S Department of Health and Human Services, 2010). Cocaine-dependence is associated with a number of serious risks including: health problems, increased mortality, overdose, neonatal exposure to drugs, incarceration, violence, unemployment, and homelessness (Karch, 2005; Kruszon-Moran and McQuillan, 2005; Lucas, 2005; Nnadi et al, 2005; Schiller and Allen, 2005). Though national advocacy groups have increased drug prevention and treatment efforts, rates of use have only decreased slightly. Relapse rates for drug use are high (Poling et al, 2007). It is important to gain a better understanding of factors that contribute to cocaine-dependence in order to improve current treatments
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
