Perceptual Reactance, Drug Preference, and Electrodermal Activity in Treatment-Seeking Substance Abusers

Abstract

Perceptual reactance (PR) was explored as a contributing variable to drug abuse. PR is defined as the general tendency of an individual's central nervous system to perceptually modulate incoming sensory stimuli. Using an adaptive model of drug use, it was hypothesized that drug preference in substance abusers would vary with PR. Specifically, perceptual reducers, who subjectively dampen afferent sensation, would prefer experience-expanding drugs (i.e., cocaine and amphetamines) to heighten perception. Conversely, perceptual augmenters would prefer sensory-restricting drugs (i.e., opioids and sedative-hypnotics) that attenuate or modulate environmental stimuli. Utilizing subjective (Reducing-Augmenting Scale) and objective (electrodermal responses) measures of PR, the relationship was tested in a sample of treatment-seeking substance abusers (n = 122). The sample was stratified on whether or not they were abstinent. Interestingly, a higher than anticipated rate of electrodermal non-responsivity was found across the sample and the implications of this finding are discussed. The study hypothesis was only supported in the electrodermally-responsive group.

Differences in impulsivity and risk-taking propensity between primary users of crack cocaine and primary users of heroin in a residential substance-use program.

“…and colleagues ( 2002) found that both substance use and behavior problems may stem from a heritable propensity to externalizing ("acting out," impulsive) behavior. Finally, beyond the finding that impulsivity is a vulnerability to substance use in general, researchers have suggested that impulsivity may predispose some individuals to perceive specific drug classes such as crack cocaine to be especially rewarding (e.g., Carroll & Rounsaville, 1993;Compton, 2000;Khantzian, 1985;Weiss, Mirin, Griffin, & Michael, 1988). Second, results also may be due to the unique behavioral patterns associated with the use of the two drugs.…”