Impulsivity, Sensation Seeking, and Risk-Taking Behaviors among HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Heroin Dependent Persons

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to compare impulsivity and risky decision making among HIV-positive and negative heroin dependent persons. Methods. We compared different dimensions of impulsivity and risky decision making in two groups of 60 HIV-positive and 60 HIV-negative male heroin dependent persons. Each group was comprised of equal numbers of current (treatment seeker) and former (abstinent) heroin addicts. Data collection tools included Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART), Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), and Zuckerman Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS). Results. In SSS, comprised of four subscales including thrill and adventure seeking (TAS), experience seeking (ES), disinhibition (DIS), and boredom susceptibility (BS), there was a borderline difference in DIS (P = 0.08) as HIV-positive group scored higher than HIV-negative group. Also, ES and total score were significantly higher among HIV-positive patients. In BART, HIV-positive subjects scored higher in risk taking than HIV-negative subjects as reflected in higher Average Number of puffs in Successful Balloons (ANSB). In BIS, HIV-positive group scored significantly higher in cognitive impulsivity (CI) (P = 0.03) and nonplanning impulsivity (NPI) (P = 0.05) in comparison to HIV-negative group. Also, current heroin addicts scored significantly higher in NPI compared to former addict HIV-negative participants (P = 0.015). IGT did not show any significant difference between groups. Conclusion. Higher levels of impulsivity and risk taking behaviors among HIV-positive heroin addicts will increase serious concerns regarding HIV transmission from this group to other opiate dependents and healthy people.

Effect of a Mindfulness Training Program on the Impulsivity and Aggression Levels of Adolescents with Behavioral Problems in the Classroom

“…Thus, impulsive adolescents without sufficient emotional control and no ability to delay gratification are driven by the emotional momentum and little or inadequate forethought. Furthermore, impulsivity and aggressiveness are related, on the one hand, to maladaptive or risk-taking behaviors such as substance abuse or sexual promiscuity ( Paydary et al, 2016 ) and, on the other hand, to mental disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, reading problems, and poor academic results ( Fix and Fix, 2013 ; Nelson et al, 2015 ).…”

Association of HIV serostatus and metabolic syndrome with neurobehavioral disturbances

“…These findings are of great interest not only from understanding how HIV affects the brain but also everyday functioning. For example, previous studies have shown associations between apathy and IADL decline, disability, and quality of life (Kamat et al 2016b;Kamat et al 2012;Shapiro et al 2013); disinhibition, impulsivity, and risk-taking behaviors (Golub et al 2010;Paydary et al 2016); and executive dysfunction and ART medication adherence (Ettenhofer et al 2009;Hinkin et al 2004) and employment status (Cattie et al 2012;Rabkin et al 2004) in PLWH. Further research is needed to understand association directionality and how these associations progress with age over time.…”

Quantifying absolute glutamate concentrations in nucleus accumbens of prescription opioid addicts by using 1H MRS

“…In this regard, opiate abusers with higher impulsive behaviors are more likely to relapse (Paydary et al, 2016).…”

“…Opioid dependence, which is characterized by extremely unpleasant physical and emotional feelings after drug use is terminated (Zhu, Wienecke, Nachtrab, & Chen, 2016), is a highly prevalent addictive disorder associated with comorbid medical and psychiatric problems (Rodriguez-Cintas et al, 2016). Most previous studies of drug addiction's effect on brain systems have focused on illicit drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, cannabis (Greenwald, Woodcock, Khatib, & Stanley, 2015;Paydary et al, 2016;Rodriguez-Cintas et al, 2016), as opposed to legal opiates (e.g., codeine, morphine, and opium) (Kim, Ham, Hong, Moon, & Im, 2016;Qiu, Su, Lv, & Jiang, 2015;Schuckit, 2016). Long-term use of prescription opioid exposes patients to risk of developing addictive side effects, such as rewarding and withdrawal symptoms (Kim et al, 2016).…”