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Sensation seeking and drug choice
The International Journal of the Addictions
|December 1, 1983
Summary
Polydrug users exhibit higher sensation seeking than depressant users, irrespective of demographics. This suggests sensation seeking is key in polydrug abuse patterns, but not depressant abuse.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Addiction Studies
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Sensation seeking is a personality trait characterized by the pursuit of novel, varied, complex, and intense sensations and experiences.
- Understanding personality factors associated with different substance use patterns is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Previous research has explored links between sensation seeking and drug use, but distinctions between specific drug use patterns require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare sensation seeking scores between polydrug users and opiate/depressant drug users.
- To determine if demographic factors influence the relationship between sensation seeking and drug use patterns.
- To investigate the role of sensation seeking as a potential motive in different types of substance abuse.
Main Methods:
- Administered the Sensation Seeking Scale to two distinct groups of clients in drug treatment programs.
- Group 1: Polydrug users (clients using multiple types of drugs).
- Group 2: Opiate and depressant drug users (clients primarily using these specific drug classes).
Main Results:
- Polydrug users achieved significantly higher scores on the Sensation Seeking Scale compared to opiate and depressant drug users.
- This difference in sensation seeking scores remained statistically significant even after controlling for demographic variables between the two groups.
- No significant difference in sensation seeking was found between opiate and depressant users.
Conclusions:
- The findings indicate that a high propensity for sensation seeking may be a distinguishing characteristic of polydrug abuse.
- Sensation seeking appears to be a relevant motivational factor for engaging in polydrug use, but less so for exclusive opiate or depressant use.
- These results highlight the need to consider personality traits like sensation seeking in the development of tailored prevention and treatment strategies for different substance use disorders.