Relations among Delay Discounting, Addictions, and Money Mismanagement: Implications and Future Directions

Abstract

Background: Delay discounting is a reduction in the subjective value of a delayed outcome. Elevated delay discounting is a type of impulsivity that is associated with harmful behaviors, including substance abuse and financial mismanagement. Methods: Elevated delay discounting as related to addiction and financial mismanagement was reviewed from psychological, neurobiological, and behavioral economic perspectives. Results: Addiction and financial mismanagement frequently co-occur, and elevated delay discounting may be a common mechanism contributing to both of these problematic behaviors. Conclusions: Future research on the relationships between delay discounting, substance abuse, and financial mismanagement can provide important insights for developing improved prevention and treatment strategies.

• delay discounting
• impulsivity
• substance abuse
• financial mismanagement
• addiction
• neurobiology

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported in part by the following: (1) National Institute on Drug Abuse grants P20 DA027844, T32 DA007238, R01 DA019039, RC1 DA028279, RL1 AA017539, R01 DA020908, UL1 DE19586, and the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research/Common Fund; (2) the National Center for Responsible Gaming and its affiliated Institute for Research on Gambling Disorders; and (3) the Veteran’s Administration – VISN1 Mental Illness Research Education Clinical Center.

Declaration of Interest

The authors reported no biomedical financial interests or conflicts of interest to disclose with respect to the content of this manuscript. Dr. Potenza has received financial support or compensation for the following: Dr. Potenza has consulted for Boehringer Ingelheim; has financial interests in Somaxon; has received research support from the National Institutes of Health, Veteran’s Administration, Mohegan Sun Casino, the National Center for Responsible Gaming and its affiliated Institute for Research on Gambling Disorders, and Forest Laboratories pharmaceuticals; has participated in surveys, mailings, or telephone consultations related to drug addiction, ICDs, or other health topics; has consulted for law offices on issues related to addictions or ICDs; has provided clinical care in the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Problem Gambling Services Program; has performed grant reviews for the National Institutes of Health and other agencies; has guest-edited journal sections; has given academic lectures in grand rounds, CME events, and other clinical or scientific venues; and has generated books or book chapters for publishers of mental health texts. Dr. Hamilton reports no biomedical financial interests or other conflicts of interest. The contents of the manuscript are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of any of the funding agencies.