[Addiction, impulsivity and temporal curves of desire]

This study addresses, from theories of associative learning, the impulsivity and craving in patients with a diagnosis of substance dependence in abstinence, habitual use and relapse. We present a new method for the assessment of desire based on discount curve self description, in which patients describe how they perceive the temporal evolution and intensity of their desire. At the same time, through a brief questionnaire about emotion and desire -developed by the authors-and the Plutchik Impulsivity Scale, we set out to check whether positive or negative emotions increase, decrease, or are uninvolved in changes of desire and impulsivity. Perception of the evolution of desire in patients from the Relapse and Habitual Use groups is similar and presents a hyperbolic curve, but the Relapse group presented greater impulsivity. Moreover, a relationship is found in patients from the Relapse group between the hyperbolic increase of desire, the pleasurable states and impulsivity. The higher scores on impulsivity and the hyperbolic evolution of desire in patients who have recently suffered a relapse indicate the need to consider and specifically address these aspects as relevant to psychotherapy and/or pharmacological therapy.