User:Archerub/impulsivity and substance abuse

=Drug abuse and Impusivity= Impulsivity is charaterized by actions based on sudden desires, whims, or inclinations rather than careful thought. There seems to be a clear link with substance abuse and impulsivity.Drug use is defined as the misuse, maltreatment, or excessive use of drugs. This can include Marijuana, Cocaine, Methamphetamine,Barbiturate,Psychedelic drugs, alcohol,opioids, Inhalents, and others.

Measures of Impulsivity

 * 1) The Barratt Impulsiveness scale (BIS-11) consists of 30 questions and is a self-administered questionaire. It is the most widely cited instrument for the assessment of impulsiveness and has been around for over 50 years .The BIS-11 can be used to assess [Impulse control disorder], pathological impulsivity, and general impulsiveness in individuals. It uses a 4 point scale for each question, where 1 is rarely/never and 4 is almost always/always. The scale consists of three subscales of second order factors that are: motor, non-planning, and Attentional impulsivity. Within these 3 second order factors there are 6 first order factors that include: Attention, cognitive instability, motor, Perseverance,Self-control, and cognitive complexity. The author of the BIS Scale, Ernest S. Barratt, suggested that a score of 75 or higher likely indicates an impulse control disorder, while those with pathological impulsivity often score between 70-75.


 * 1) The Balloon analogue risk test (BART) is a computerized way to measure risk taking behavior. Particiants are presented with a balloon on the screen and told that they have a chance to make money with every pump of air into it. Each click of air causes the balloon to get bigger while the money is added on the side. Once it reaches a threshold, the balloon pops. Each pump leads to greater risk, but also more reward. Reliabilty of this test has shown to be >.7 and a test/retest reliabilty of (T1/T2 r = .77).
 * 1) The Iowa gambling task (IGT) ,is a task that consists of four decks, A, B, C, and D and each consist of 40 cards . Participants choose a card from one of the decks and each card generates a reward, a penalty, or both. At the beginning of the trial, most participants choose the disadvantaged deck because the gains are higher. Over time, participants learn to pick the advantaged decks. It was found those that are substance abusers or offenders do not learn to pick the better deck. The IGT may also help predict Impulse control disorders.