Effect of substance abuse on visuographic function.
The effect of substance abuse on visuographic functions was investigated by comparing 4 groups from an Arabian Gulf population: 63 heroin abusers, 14 alcohol abusers, 43 polydrug abusers, and 48 control subjects. The visuographic function was evaluated using Benton's Revised Visual Retention Test. Analysis of covariance yielded an over-all group effect on both number correct and errors. Assessment of significance of differences between groups showed that the polydrug-abusing group and the heroin-abusing group scored significantly lower than the nonabusing group on number correct. All 3 substance-abusing groups scored significantly higher than the non-abusing group on errors, which seems a better predictor of cognitive impairment. Classification of subjects on the basis of their scores on the Benton test showed that a significant proportion of subjects in each substance-abusing group were classified as impaired. It is concluded that the present findings were consistent with prior reports for European and American subjects.
Amir
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T
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain.
Bahri
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T
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015897:Comorbidity; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation
D013287:Illicit Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs