AIMS: To test the hypothesis that early-onset alcoholics (EOAs) can be differentiated from late-onset alcoholics (LOAs) by more severe substance-related problems and higher levels of impulsivity and aggression. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS: A cross-sectional patient survey with a community comparison group. The European Addiction Severity Index was used to assess substance-related problems and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, the Dutch version of the Zuckermann Sensation Seeking Scale and the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory were used to assess impulsive and aggressive traits. Impulsive decision making was assessed using a delay discounting task (DDT) with hypothetical monetary rewards. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Participants were EOAs (n = 42) and LOAs (n = 46) recruited from an addiction treatment centre and an unmatched, non-substance-abusing comparison group (n = 54). Findings The EOAs had higher levels of impulsive decision making than both the LOAs and the comparison group. The EOAs had higher scores than the LOAs on measures of impulsiveness, aggressiveness and the severity of substance-related problems. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that EOAs are more impulsive and aggressive than LOAs. Further identification of alcoholism subtypes based on dimensions of impulsivity should be considered in the light of their relationship with pharmacological and behavioural treatment interventions.
AIMS: To test the hypothesis that early-onset alcoholics (EOAs) can be differentiated from late-onset alcoholics (LOAs) by more severe substance-related problems and higher levels of impulsivity and aggression. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS: A cross-sectional patient survey with a community comparison group. The European Addiction Severity Index was used to assess substance-related problems and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, the Dutch version of the Zuckermann Sensation Seeking Scale and the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory were used to assess impulsive and aggressive traits. Impulsive decision making was assessed using a delay discounting task (DDT) with hypothetical monetary rewards. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING:Participants were EOAs (n = 42) and LOAs (n = 46) recruited from an addiction treatment centre and an unmatched, non-substance-abusing comparison group (n = 54). Findings The EOAs had higher levels of impulsive decision making than both the LOAs and the comparison group. The EOAs had higher scores than the LOAs on measures of impulsiveness, aggressiveness and the severity of substance-related problems. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that EOAs are more impulsive and aggressive than LOAs. Further identification of alcoholism subtypes based on dimensions of impulsivity should be considered in the light of their relationship with pharmacological and behavioural treatment interventions.
Authors: W K Bickel; D P Jarmolowicz; E T Mueller; C T Franck; C Carrin; K M Gatchalian Journal: Psychopharmacology (Berl) Date: 2012-05-29 Impact factor: 4.530
Authors: Sandra D Comer; Warren K Bickel; Richard Yi; Harriet de Wit; Stephen T Higgins; Galen R Wenger; Chris-Ellyn Johanson; Mary Jeanne Kreek Journal: Behav Pharmacol Date: 2010-07 Impact factor: 2.293
Authors: Warren K Bickel; Bryan A Jones; Reid D Landes; Darren R Christensen; Lisa Jackson; Michael Mancino Journal: Exp Clin Psychopharmacol Date: 2010-12 Impact factor: 3.157
Authors: L Joos; A E Goudriaan; L Schmaal; N A J De Witte; W Van den Brink; B G C Sabbe; G Dom Journal: Psychopharmacology (Berl) Date: 2012-10-25 Impact factor: 4.530
Authors: Susan M Bankston; Deidra D Carroll; Stanley G Cron; L Kian Granmayeh; Marianne T Marcus; F Gerard Moeller; Joy M Schmitz; Paul Swank; Patricia R Liehr Journal: Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse Date: 2009 Impact factor: 3.829
Authors: Andrzej Jakubczyk; Anna Klimkiewicz; Anna Wnorowska; Katarzyna Mika; Marcin Bugaj; Anna Podgórska; Kristen Barry; Frederic C Blow; Kirk J Brower; Marcin Wojnar Journal: Accid Anal Prev Date: 2012-12-12