Impulsivity and executive functions in polysubstance-using rave attenders.
OBJECTIVE
Rave parties are characterized by high levels of drug use and polysubstance-using patterns that may be especially harmful for psychological and neuropsychological functioning. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive assessment of different aspects of impulsivity and executive functions in a sample of polysubstance-using rave attenders.


METHODS
We collected data from two groups: rave attenders (RvA, n = 25) and drug-free healthy comparison individuals (HCI, n = 27). RvA were regular users of cannabis, cocaine, methampethamine, hallucinogens, and alcohol. The assessment protocol included a drug-taking interview, the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale, the delay-discounting questionnaire and a set of neuropsychological tests taxing different aspects of executive functions: response speed, working memory, reasoning, response inhibition and switching, self-regulation, decision making, and emotion perception.


RESULTS
For impulsivity measures, RvA had significantly elevated scores on lack of perseverance and positive and negative urgency, but did not differ from controls on lack of premeditation or sensation seeking. For neuropsychological functioning, RvA had significantly poorer performance on indices of analogical reasoning, processing speed, working memory, inhibition/switching errors, and decision making, but performed similar to controls on indices of self-regulation, reversal learning, and emotion processing. Peak and binge alcohol and drug use were positively correlated with positive urgency, and negatively correlated with performance on executive indices.


CONCLUSIONS
Rave attenders have selective alterations of impulsive personality and executive functions. These findings can contribute to delineate the neuropsychological profiles that distinguish recreational polysubstance use from substance dependence.
Verdejo-García
Antonio
A
Department of Personalidad, Evaluación y Tratamiento Psicológico, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain. averdejo@ugr.es
Del Mar Sánchez-Fernández
María
M
Alonso-Maroto
Luisa María
LM
Fernández-Calderón
Fermín
F
Perales
Jose C
JC
Lozano
Oscar
O
Pérez-García
Miguel
M
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012919:Social Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
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