The Role of Impulsivity and Sensitivity to Reward in Dropout of Addiction Treatment in Heroin Addicts

BACKGROUND: Impulsivity and sensitivity to reward situate at the marrow of pathology of substance use disorders (SUDs). This study examined the role of impulsivity and sensitivity to reward in dropout of addiction treatment in heroin addicts. METHODS: The participants of this study were 216 heroin addicts. The participants were assigned to three different groups including abstinent group (n = 104), relapsed group (n = 45), and dropped out of treatment group (n = 67). The participants completed the semi-structured interview, Carver and White Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System (BIS/BAS) questionnaires, and the Delay Discounting Task (DDT). FINDINGS: The delay discounting (DD) and reward-seeking rates were high in relapse and dropout groups compared to the abstinence group and this difference was significant in P < 0.01 level. CONCLUSION: People with substance abuse disorders have impulsive behaviors and often prefer immediate reward related to substance use than long-term and greater rewards.