Drug-related cues exacerbate decision making and increase craving in heroin addicts at different abstinence times.
Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2012;
221:701-8. [PMID:
22207241 DOI:
10.1007/s00213-011-2617-5]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2011] [Accepted: 12/09/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE
Relapse is a persistent problem in the management of addiction. Drug-related cues are powerful instigators of relapse. Impulsive decision making may contribute to relapse through a poorly considered assessment of the consequences of drug use. Drug cues robustly increase subjective craving, which is frequently associated with relapse.
OBJECTIVE
The present study explored the effects of drug-related cues on decision making and craving in heroin addicts at different abstinence times: 1, 3, 12, and 24 months.
METHODS
The 75 male participants were given 5 min exposure to neutral and drug-associated cues while decision making performance, craving, blood pressure, heart rate, and emotional state pre- and post-exposure were assessed. The Iowa Gambling Task was used to evaluate decision making ability in heroin addicts.
RESULTS
Drug-related cues exacerbated impulsive decision making and increased craving, heart rate, and systolic pressure in heroin addicts at all abstinence times.
CONCLUSIONS
Drug-related cues aggravated decision making and increased craving in former heroin addicts who had been drug-free for 1-24 months, which might have significant clinical implications for the prevention of relapse.
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