The Comparison of Decision-Making Functions between Heroin Abusers and Normal Individuals

Introduction: Heroin abuse is one of the world major problems that have negative consequences in multiple domains such as aspects of cognitive problems. The aim of current research was to compare the decision-making functions between heroin abusers and normal individuals.

Methods: The method of current research was causative-comparative. The sampling was group of heroin abuser was available. Group of heroin abusers include 30heroin abuser that was selected among those referred to addiction treatment centers in Gonabad city. The comparison group consisted of 30 normal individuals were selected according to available sampling and were matched in age, gender and education with group of heroin abusers.To collect data was used from Decision-making and Risky Decisions Tests. Data analyzed with Spss software and multivariate analysis.

Results: Results of data analysis showed scores of heroin abusers in decision-making lower than normal group and also scores of this group in risky decision higher than normal group. The results of multivariate analyze showed a significant difference in decision-making between heroin abusers and normal individuals. (P< 0/0001).

Conclusion: Heroin abuse leads to changes in the structure and function of the brain, especially the frontal and prefrontal cortex and this causes heroin abusers have many problems in the process of decision making and problem solving.