Evaluation of impulsivity and complex attention functions of subjects with substance use -Sample from Adıyaman province-

In this study impulsivity and complex attention functions of subjects using a group of substances were compared with healthy controls. Design of this study was a case-control study.Universe of this study was patients with substance use who admitted to Psychiatry Department of Adiyaman University Research and Education Hospital. Among them, 33 (94.3%) males and 2 females between 18-65 years of age formed the study sample. Randomly selected 23 (92.0%) males and 2 (8%) females without any substance use disorders who were similar to the study group according to age and sex formed the control group. ŞMeasurement tools used in this study included Barratt Impulsivity Scale, and Trail-Making test. According to the study findings subjects using substances have difficulties with racing thoughts, concentration, delaying gratification, making appropriate decisions, and inhibiting responses. Another important finding of this study was higher levels of disturbance in complex attention function in subjects with substance use. According to this result, subjects with substance use have difficulties in changing between different stimulating sets, following consecutive stimuli and mental flexibility. Long term follow up studies are needed to understand the reciprocal relations between substance use, impulsivity, and complex attention. Keywords: Substance use disorder, impulsivity, complex attention