Background: Impulsivity has been identified as playing a role in cocaine use. The purpose of this study was to explore self-report measures of impulsivity in large groups of male and female cocaine users and matched controls and to determine if differences in impulsivity measures within a group of cocaine users related to self-reported money spent on cocaine and route of cocaine use.
Methods: Eight self-report impulsivity measures yielding 34 subscales were obtained in 230 cocaine users (180 M, 50 F) and a matched group of 119 healthy controls (89 M, 30 F). Correlational analysis of the questionnaires revealed 2 factors: Impulsive Action (Factor 1) consisting of many traditional impulsivity measures and Thrill-seeking (Factor 2) consisting of delay discounting, sensation and thrill seeking.
Results: Sex influenced within group comparisons. Impulsive Action scores did not vary as a function of sex within either group. But, male controls and male cocaine users had greater Thrill-seeking scores than females within the same group. Sex also influenced between group comparisons. Male cocaine users had greater Impulsive Action scores while female cocaine users had greater Thrill-seeking scores than their sex-matched controls. Among cocaine users, individuals who preferred insufflating ("snorting") cocaine had greater Thrill-seeking scores and lower Impulsive Action scores than individuals who preferred smoking cocaine. Individuals who insufflate cocaine also spent less money on cocaine.
Conclusions: Greater Impulsive Action scores in males and Thrill-seeking scores in females were associated with cocaine use relative to controls.
Keywords: Cocaine; Delay discounting; Impulsivity; Preferred route; Sensation-seeking; Sex differences.
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