Impulsivity is a problem with anyone who is an alcoholic, but alcoholics with antisocial and borderline personality disorders may be particularly troubled by inhibitory-control issues. Researchers believe that by identifying these subpopulations of alcoholics, more effective treatment plans can be developed.
A study of 247 alcoholics and 96 non-substance-abusing men in Spain, matched in age and education, examined the behavioral impulsivity within different groups of alcoholics -- those without "Cluster B" personality disorders and those with the disorders. Cluster B disorders include antisocial and borderline personality disorders.
The researchers measured inhibitory control, and assessed sustained attention, rapid-response impulsivity, and ability to delay reward, for all participants.
Inability to Delay Gratification
Researcher Gabriel Rubio reported the following findings:
- The inability to delay gratification may be a vulnerability marker for alcoholism.
- Certain inhibitory-control issues may be specific to antisocial and borderline personality disorders.
- Alcoholics without personality disorders displayed greater inability to delay gratification than control healthy subjects.
- The second finding involved alcoholics with cluster B personality disorders, who displayed more impairment on inhibitory control.
Rethinking Treatment Options
The alcoholics impairment on inhibitory control have more problems stopping once they start drinking, Rubio said.
"This means that a subject has problems with appropriately inhibiting thoughts or actions," said Rubio. "In other words, when an action has begun, such as drinking that first drink, he or she will have difficulties stopping, meaning he or she cannot stop drinking."
"We may also need to rethink treatment options. Programs that emphasize immediate rewards for abstinence may have a better chance of succeeding with antisocial personality disorder. Conversely, psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions that focus on 'behavioral control' may work better with subjects with borderline personality disorders," Rubio said.
Rubio's study was published in the October 2007 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.
Alcohol Screening:
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Intersting, but maybe confusing. In paragraph 2, shouldn’t one of “without” be changed to “with”? Shouldn’t the bold header say “gratification” rather than “gratitude”?
As an alcoholic who has an inability to delay gratitude, I can relate to the ” drink now” example. It is true in my case, although I haven’t relapsed (yet).
I have been looking for solutions (actually, a cure!)for my instant gratification problem. Is there any medical or psychological solution or treatment for this?
Thank you.