The association between executive functioning and motivation to enter treatment among regular users of heroin and/or cocaine in Baltimore, MD.
This study explored the association between readiness to enter treatment and performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), a measure of problem solving ability and executive functioning. Data for this analysis was collected on 258 current regular users of heroin and/or cocaine as part of an epidemiologic study on executive function and drug use. A structural equation model was used to test the hypotheses that poorer performance on the WCST would predict lower scores on two latent constructs measuring motivation to change drug use. Specifically, poorer performance on the WCST was associated with lower recognition of problem use. Associations between treatment enrollment within the past six months and regular use of more than one drug were also observed. Findings highlight the importance of considering cognitive impairment in programs targeting active drug users and promoting treatment participation.
University of Pittsburgh, Western Psychiatric Institute, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA. sgs27@pitt.edu
Stevan Geoffrey
SG
Severtson
Sarah
S
von Thomsen
Sarra L
SL
Hedden
William
W
Latimer
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D015142:Baltimore; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D056344:Executive Function / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009042:Motivation / Q000187:drug effects*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult