Theories of Addiction Explanations for Continuing Drug Use and Relapse

Theories of addiction, many have been proposed and a variety of preclinical models have been

constructed. several theories were utilized in this study to better understand the basis of addiction. The

first theory, negative reinforcement, suggests that the continued use of the psychoactive substance is to

avoid withdrawal dysphoria. The next theory subject to research during this study was positive

reinforcement. The positive reinforcement theory of addiction suggests the subject continues use of the

psychoactive substance simply because they enjoy it. These theories, positive reinforcement the more

familiar of the preclinical models of addiction, stem from the associative learning theory. Either of

these preclinical models are a perfect example of operant conditioning. Both subjects have associated

their use of the psychoactive substance with consequences, reinforcing the behavior. Operant

conditioning is the easiest form of associative learning and the hardest to correct once behavior is

learned in this manner. There have been several studies done to understand operant conditioning. The

most prominent was the operant chamber, a Skinner box. It was built in the mid sixties by B. F. Skinner

and brought modern behaviorism to the forefront of psychology. Though a very controversial study

much was learned in behavior control and was called the law of effect, stating that rewarding behavior

is likely to recur.

Another crucial model in understanding addiction is stimulus response learning. This model

suggests, unlike that of associative learning where the response follows the stimulus, the stimulus itself

creates a habitual response. This this occurs through classical conditioning and is a conditioned

response. This conditioned response is developed through conditioned reinforcement. When the subject

comes in to contact with paraphernalia, like the light in the skinner box, they know they are