Publication Abstract Display
Type: Poster
Title: Higher levels of emotion dysregulation in methamphetamine users compared to non-users relates to neurobehavioral deficits and craving.
Authors: Morgan E, Doyle K, Heaton R, Villalobos J, Grant I
Date: 02-01-2017
Abstract:Conclusions: Elevated emotion dysregulation observed among MA users was not better accounted for psychiatric, demographic, medical, or cognitive cofactors. MA users appear to have particular difficulty with differentiating their emotions (i.e., emotional clarity), and with behavioral expressions of uncontrolled emotional experiences, such as acting impulsively and struggling to engage in goal-directed behavior, which could lead to everyday functioning failures, particularly in light of their limited exposure to emotion regulation strategies. Among MA users, emotion dysregulation was associated with several factors that suggest a role in sustaining addiction to MA: Poorly regulated emotions may increase craving due to a need to escape negative emotional experiences, which may hinder attempts to quit or maintain sobriety. Greater impulsivity/disinhibition and riskier decision-making may be behavioral consequences of failure to regulate emotions; in addition to the negative outcomes for the the individual, these behaviors have potential public health impact (e.g., disease transmission). Greater emotion dysregulation appears to be linked to having fewer social support contacts (but not lower satisfaction with social support, perhaps due to poor insight), and lower levels of empathy, suggesting disrupted social functioning. Greater anger/hostility and confusion/bewilderment suggests that poor emotion regulation may be linked to elevated hostility and aggression observed in MA user.

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