Shortened time horizons and insensitivity to future consequences in heroin addicts

摘要: Aims. To investigate whether heroin addicts demonstrate shortened time horizons and decreased sensitivity to future consequences of their behavior compared non-drug users . Design Setting Participants. Thirty-four enrolled in a buprenorphine treatment clinic 59 non-drug-using controls completed personality questionnaire two laboratory tasks Measurements. The Stanford Time Perception Inventory (STPI) assessed orientation the future, Future Perspective (FTP) task elicited predictions timing ordering events. Bechara card measured preferences for decks cards that range magnitude probability delayed immediate rewards punishers Findings. Heroin scored significantly lower than on STPI scale indicative orientation. In FTP, were less likely predict events far into systematically organize future. task, win money controls. They more play from deck contained greater gains but resulted large, overall net losses. also made fewer selections provided an gain via relatively low frequent small punishments Conclusions. Shortened may explain drug abusers' persistent use drugs, despite long-term negative associated with use.