Among social drinkers and early problem users, alcohol consumption is related to self-report aspects of impulsivity, including sensation seeking and non-planning, as well as behavioral measurement of impulsivity (i.e., steeper delay discounting). Although the dimensions of impulsivity (e.g., delay discounting and non-planning) are often independent of one another, it has also been reported that certain dimensions of impulsivity are more related to alcohol use than to alcohol-related problems. These findings with different dimensions of impulsivity and their relation to alcohol-related outcomes both in behavioral and biological research support the need to distinguish between distinct constructs or dimensions of impulsivity, to fully understand the role of this category of behaviors in alcohol use. As compared to vulnerability, an issue of important consideration for use and alcohol problem development is the exacerbating role that alcohol may begin to have on impulsivity, producing a bi-directional relationship (Anestis, Selby, & Joiner 2007). Controlled studies examining this interactive relationship are lacking and should provide a focus for future research. In addition, future studies should consider the extent to which different dimensions of the construct are more or less influenced by continued alcohol use and associated problems.
