Experiencing effects of cocaine and speed with self-regulation therapy

ABSTRACT

This study demonstrates the efficacy of Self-Regulation Therapy (SRT) to induce effects of cocaine and speed in a single session. SRT is a suggestion procedure of sensorial recall exercises (salivation, feeling of weight, tension, etc.) that increases the capacity to reproduce all sensation types and those that drugs produce. The Self-Regulation Scale (SRS) measures this capacity. Four groups participated, formed according to drug use: Group 1 (uses no illegal drugs); Group 2 (experimentally uses cannabis only); Group 3 (moderate drug users); Group 4 (regular drug users, especially stimulants). All four groups participated in an SRT session to induce relaxation. No differences in the SRS were found. Group 4 also participated in a session that reproduced effects of drugs with SRT, when Euphoria and the Effects of drugs score (high and rush) substantially increased in relation to the base-line (MD = -5.83; p < .001; and MD = -3; p < .001, respectively) and in relation to the relaxation session (MD = -4.06; p < .001; and MD = -1.96; p < .05, respectively). A profile predicting SRT efficacy was also obtained to induce the effects of cocaine and speed: low Conscientiousness and high Openness and SRS scores. Finally, the potential use of this procedure to treat addictions, and strategy development towards more controlled, responsible drug use, are discussed (AU)

RESUMEN

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