Recreational cocaine use is associated with attenuated latent inhibition

Combining Alcohol with Benzodiazepines or Psychostimulants. Metaphoric Meanings and the Concept of Control in the Online Talk of Polydrug Use

The co-administration of different substances is a widespread practice in the context of hard drug use. Among others, alcohol combined with certain substances produces potentially dangerous interactions. This article explores how people who combine alcohol with benzodiazepines or psychostimulants perceive these practices and how they share their perceptions in Finnish and Swedish online discussions. This is carried out by analyzing discussants' use of metaphoric expressions. We found that the metaphors given to the use of these substance combinations reflect their pharmacological characteristics. Through that, the metaphors and meanings were different depending on the substance alcohol was combined with. Moreover, we found that, in the realities the metaphors create, the control of use was differently conceptualized. The different aspects of control could be divided into three categories that, however, were not related to any specific substances but overarched all metaphors: 1) controlling pharmacological risks, 2) controlling social appearance and 3) ignoring control. As our findings bring out, often the actual health dangers and risks of the studied substance combinations were bypassed, and the control was rather understood either as a form of socially appropriate behavior or wholly ignored.

Increased picture-word interference in chronic and recreational users of cocaine

OBJECTIVE

The correct production of speech depends on the effective use of inhibitory control. Cocaine abuse has been linked to impaired inhibition in the verbal and nonverbal domains. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible impairment of the inhibitory control process engaged in the production of language among chronic cocaine users, both in rehabilitation and recreational contexts.

METHOD

Researchers obtained an index of semantic interference from a picture-word task performed by chronic cocaine users in rehabilitation (Experiment 1) and recreational cocaine polydrug users (Experiment 2). Cocaine users in both groups were matched for age and intelligence with cocaine-free health controls. Performance on the picture-word task was analyzed by repeated-measures analyses of variance.

RESULTS

Both groups of cocaine users showed significantly more semantic interference than their respective cocaine-free control group. These results suggest a deficit in the ability to inhibit interfering information.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings suggest that cocaine use, even at recreational levels, is associated with specific impairments in the inhibitory mechanism that reduces the activation of overt competing responses in language production. This impairment results in the inefficient avoidance of irrelevant information, inducing errors and slower responses during the production of spoken language.

Assessment of inhibitory control in crack and/or cocaine users: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Impairments involving inhibitory control have been considered central deficits in drug users, but it appears that dysfunctions may be specific to users' drug of choice. This article aims to review recent findings on inhibitory control impairment in samples of crack and/or cocaine users.

METHODS

Searches were conducted on the PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Knowledge databases in two stages according to eligibility criteria. Initially, databases were searched and the titles and abstracts of results were analyzed and then selected articles were read in full. Inclusion criteria were: empirical articles written in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, published in the last ten years and involving the assessment of inhibitory control in crack and/or cocaine users.

RESULTS

The database searches returned a total of 3,796 titles, 56 of them were selected initially and then a further 20 were excluded. Thirty-six articles were included in this review. In 90% of the studies reviewed the presence of inhibitory control deficits was reported, verified by impaired cognitive processing and response monitoring, as well as high levels of impulsiveness, regardless of the pattern of crack and/or cocaine consumption (recreational or chronic). Former users showed high levels of impulsiveness even after long periods of abstinence.

CONCLUSIONS

Crack and/or cocaine users may have inhibitory control deficits, irrespective of different consumption patterns. High levels of impulsiveness can represent a factor of vulnerability to drug use and relapse.