Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
08:05
A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence
Published on: March 23, 2022
Heroin purchasing is income and price sensitive
Juliette Roddy1, Caren L Steinmiller, Mark K Greenwald
1Substance Abuse Research Division, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine. jroddy@umd.umich.edu
Summary
Heroin purchasing behavior is highly cost-effective, especially for those using cocaine. Significant income reductions or increased legal sanctions are needed to decrease daily heroin purchasing amounts (DPA) in dependent individuals.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Economics
- Addiction Science
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Heroin dependence presents significant public health challenges.
- Understanding drug demand is crucial for developing effective interventions.
- Previous research established factors influencing heroin purchasing, including price and income.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess behavioral economic drug demand in heroin-dependent individuals.
- To investigate the impact of hypothetical environmental changes on heroin purchasing behavior.
- To explore differences in purchasing efficiency between cocaine-positive and cocaine-negative participants.
Main Methods:
- Semi-structured interviews with 109 heroin-dependent research volunteers.
- Assessment of hypothetical changes in income, social support, and legal sanctions.
- Analysis of drug purchasing amounts (DPA) under simulated conditions.
- Urine toxicology screening for cocaine use.
Main Results:
- Participants reported significant decreases in DPA with a 33% income reduction ($34/day), loss of financial support ($32/day), or increased arrest likelihood ($42/day).
- Higher income quartiles showed greater DPA reductions but still purchased more heroin.
- Elimination of government subsidies decreased DPA to $28/day for recipients.
- Cocaine-positive participants exhibited more efficient heroin purchasing (closer dealers, delivery/walking, reduced time, higher per-episode amounts).
Conclusions:
- Heroin purchasing behavior is highly cost-effective, particularly for individuals also using cocaine.
- Potent environmental changes, such as reduced income or increased legal sanctions, are necessary to impact purchasing behavior.
- Findings have implications for addiction treatment strategies and drug policy development.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...
01:20Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
Opioids are a class of drugs that mimic endogenous opioid peptides and act on opioid receptors, and help in pain relief. These compounds are classified as natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic. Natural opioids, like morphine, codeine, and thebaine, are derived from the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum or Papaver album) and are termed opiates. Synthetic opioids are artificial, while semi-synthetic opioids combine natural and synthetic compounds. Morphine, a prototypical opioid, possesses a...
01:17Drug Dependence
Medications are typically administered to achieve therapeutic effects. Some drugs can modify an individual's mood and perception, frequently resulting in various enjoyable experiences. However, this can result in drug dependency, a condition marked by continuous drug use despite potential negative consequences. Drug dependency primarily falls into two categories: psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when the pleasurable feelings induced by the drug...
01:02Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs
Prescription drugs require a prescription from a medical practitioner and can only be obtained from a pharmacy. They have many applications, including treating pain, anxiety, and hypertension.
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
01:15Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not necessarily...
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...