Associations between behavioral disinhibition and cocaine use history in individuals with cocaine dependence.
BACKGROUND
Behavioral disinhibition has been suggested as both a cause and consequence of substance use disorders. Many studies examining associations between behavioral disinhibition and substance use history have focused on individuals with alcohol dependence or non-dependent college students. In the present study, the relationship between behavioral disinhibition and cocaine use history in individuals with cocaine dependence is examined.


METHODS
Forty-six non-treatment-seeking cocaine-dependent men and women completed impulsivity (Barratt impulsiveness scale; BIS) and novelty seeking (temperament and character inventory; TCI) questionnaires at the baseline visit of an ongoing study. Unadjusted, and adjusted for gender and age, Pearson correlations were calculated between BIS, TCI, and cocaine use variables from the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV and timeline follow-back (age of onset, quantity/frequency of past 30 day cocaine use).


RESULTS
As expected, elevated motor impulsivity and novelty seeking were each associated with younger age of dependence onset. Also, individuals with lower levels of persistence on the TCI reported more days of cocaine use over the previous month. Unexpectedly, increased novelty seeking and attentional impulsivity were associated with fewer days of cocaine use and less money spent on cocaine, respectively. Controlling for age and gender did not substantially change the pattern of observed associations.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study provides preliminary evidence for associations between behavioral disinhibition and cocaine use history in cocaine-dependent individuals. Given our relatively small sample size and the correlational nature of our findings, further research is needed to replicate and extend our results.
Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. priscian@musc.edu
James J
JJ
Prisciandaro
Jeffrey E
JE
Korte
Aimee L
AL
McRae-Clark
Kathleen T
KT
Brady
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult