The role for the impulsivity in the initiation, maintenance and relapsing nature of drug-seeking and –taking behaviors, and in clinically impairing drug use disorders, has only received attention comparatively recently. 1, 23, 29, 30, 33, 42 Though impulsivity is not directly named as a symptom of substance use disorders in the DSM-IV rubric,48 the concept of impaired control over impulsive or compulsive drug use features prominently.47 Additionally, a considerable amount of theory suggests that – even if impulsivity is not itself a key feature of end-stage addiction – it likely contributes substantially to the progression towards it.
