Impulse control differences between abstinent heroin users and matched controls.
OBJECTIVE
Heroin use has been associated with increased impulsive behaviour. This study examined the lasting effect of heroin use on impulse control in a group of ex-heroin addicts.


METHODS
Twenty-eight men, 14 ex-heroin addicts and 14 matched controls, participated in this study. The impulse control ability between the two groups was compared. Each participant was individually interviewed for demographic data and testing of their impulse control ability using the Porteus Maze Test.


RESULTS
The findings indicated that the ex-heroin addicts performed significantly more poorly on the measure of impulse control than the matched controls.


CONCLUSIONS
This observation suggests that the adverse effect of heroin on impulse control may be long lasting. Alternative explanations for the findings were also discussed.
Lee
Tatia M C
TM
Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. tmclee@hkusua.hku.hk
Pau
Charles W H
CW
D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000187:drug effects; D003932:Heroin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009294:Narcotics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011594:Psychometrics; D012919:Social Behavior; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors
D009294:Narcotics; D003932:Heroin