Impulsivity and aggression in patients with methamphetamine use disorder and opioid use disorder

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare impulsivity and aggression in patients with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD). MethodsFifty patients diagnosed with MUD, fifty patients diagnosed with OUD, and fifty healthy controls were included in the study. All participants were administered a sociodemographic data form, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), and the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). ResultsBIS-11 mean scores were significantly higher in the MUD group than in the OUD group (p = 0.021), and than in the healthy controls (p < 0.001). BPAQ mean scores were significantly higher in the MUD group than in the OUD group (p < 0.001), an in the OUD group than in the healthy controls (p < 0.001). Regression analysis to identify factors predicting methamphetamine use revealed that low education level, high impulsivity, and high aggression levels were predictive of methamphetamine use. Regression analysis to identify factors predicting opioid use indicated that unemployment, low education level, and high aggression levels were predictive of opioid use. ConclusionIndividuals with substance use disorder were more impulsive and aggressive compared to healthy controls. Patients with MUD were more impulsive and aggressive compared to patients with OUD. Specifically, impulsivity might be considered a significant risk factor for MUD.