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Needle sharing in opioid-dependent outpatients: psychological processes underlying risk
A L Odum1, G J Madden, G J Badger
1Department of Psychiatry, Human Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, 38 Fletcher Place, University of Vermont, Burlington, 05401, USA. aodum@cisunix.unh.edu
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|October 29, 2000
Summary
Injection drug users who share needles show a greater tendency to devalue delayed rewards. This suggests that interventions focusing on the impact of delayed outcomes may reduce needle sharing and substance abuse.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Needle sharing among injection drug users is a significant factor in the transmission of HIV and other infections.
- Understanding the psychological factors influencing needle sharing behavior is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between needle sharing behavior and the discounting of delayed outcomes in individuals undergoing treatment for heroin dependence.
- To determine if a reduced valuation of future rewards is associated with a higher propensity for needle sharing.
Main Methods:
- Outpatients in heroin dependence treatment were assessed for their preference between immediate and delayed hypothetical monetary and heroin rewards.
- A titration procedure was used to establish indifference points at various delay intervals.
- A nonlinear decay model quantified the devaluation of delayed outcomes.
Main Results:
- Participants willing to share needles (N=15) exhibited steeper discounting of delayed monetary rewards compared to non-sharers (N=17).
- Both groups demonstrated significantly steeper discounting for delayed heroin rewards than for delayed monetary rewards.
- The findings indicate a correlation between needle sharing and a diminished influence of future consequences on present actions.
Conclusions:
- Persistent needle sharing behavior may be linked to an impaired ability to be guided by the value of delayed outcomes.
- Interventions aimed at enhancing the perceived value of delayed rewards could potentially reduce needle sharing and overall substance abuse.
- Future research should explore therapeutic strategies to mitigate the impact of delay discounting on high-risk behaviors.
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