How can addictions be caused by operant conditioning

Some features of the site may not work correctly. DOI: This article briefly discusses these interventions and their outcomes, giving special emphasis to the underlying models of human behavior.

We describe a theoretical perspective based on operant conditioning, and we review the literature on SUD treatment. View via Publisher. Save to Library Save. Create Alert Alert. Share This Paper. With just 30 days at a rehab center, you can get clean and sober, start therapy, join a support group, and learn ways to manage your cravings. Learn More. There is still much research being done on negative reinforcement and drug abuse. Negative reinforcement can include someone who abuses a drug and get used to its effects, then stops and feels withdrawal, and now has to continue its usage to avoid the aversive situation.

In the case of substance abuse, negative reinforcement can include:. Negative reinforcement is an often misunderstood concept. We see the word negative and feel that it has to do with an outcome, something bad happened, or resulted. Well, yes, when using drugs and alcohol within the scope of addiction, it is all negative, but in this context, we speak of the removal of an aversive stimuli or situation that further reinforces using the substance.

Now what? This further promotes, or reinforces, the drug usage. This is negative reinforcement. Removing negative the aversive stimuli or situation, by using the drug. The irony of addiction is how it starts. It often begins by using drugs or alcohol as experimentation, while socializing, or to feel good; the pursuit of pleasure and positive reinforcement. Many times we see progression of a prescribed medicine to treat authentic medical or psychiatric condition, become diverted and used in maladaptive ways.

No one knows the full extent of the relationship drugs and alcohol will ultimately have on the mind and body when they are first introduced. So, whether starting out using for pleasure, and developing tolerance and physical dependence, or beginning with other risk factors such as painful medical or distressing psychological conditions, ultimately, when one continues to use in this vicious cycle to escape the pain, to remove the aversive stimuli, this switches to negative reinforcement.

Fortunately, treatment for substance use disorders can break this vicious cycle. Engaging in treatment is a major step, one that can offer the tools to address the physical and psychological distress that exists with addiction, and start the journey of living a drug free life.

There are ways to pursue pleasure and escape from pain, without the path of addiction. For more information on addiction and treatment options, contact a treatment provider today. Throughout his career, Dr. Bhatt has been a leader in substance abuse treatment programs, including administrative and medical directorship positions for inpatient and outpatient programs, detox units, and inpatient residential dual-diagnosis facilities.

He has served as the Chief Medical Officer for regional and national behavioral health companies and worked to develop public and private substance abuse and dual diagnosis facilities.

Don't See Your Insurance? Reward and punishment are defined by their effect on behavior. Reward or positive reinforcement serves to increase the probability of a behavior or action that they follow, while punishment or negative reinforcement serves to decrease the probability of the action or behavior that they follow.

An example of a reward would be a piece of candy for a child who behaved well, and on the other side of the example spanking a child who acted up would be a common example of punishment. Extinction can only occur when a previously reinforced behavior or action is no longer reinforced either positively or negatively. One important thing to understand about reward and punishment is that, in the example of the child above, it is not the child who is being punished or rewarded, but rather the action or behavior.

Previous Next. Operant Conditioning and Alcohol Addiction In terms of how problematic drinking behavior develops, we need to focus on why the behavior of drinking alcohol is repeated.

Pharmacological Extinction When it comes to operant conditioning the term extinction refers to the absence or process of removing or no longer providing the reinforcement, whether negative or positive, that have been maintaining a behavior or action over time. Reinforcement and Rewards Reward and punishment are the key ways that behavior and action is shaped and modified. However, research has further refined our understanding beyond simple common sense:.

A substance or activity can only become addictive if it is rewarding; i. Individuals who dislike particular substances or activities have little risk for developing an addiction to those substances or activities. Such dislikes are not uncommon. Some people do not enjoy certain substances or activities. This protects them from developing an addiction simply because those substances or activities are not enjoyable.

They are not rewarding. Addiction is a learned behavior because the initial pleasure or enjoyment was rewarding. According to the principles of operant conditioning, rewarded behaviors will increase. Of particular concern is that most addictive substances and activities are immediately rewarding. Research has taught us that when we immediately reward a behavior people and animals learn it more quickly. This also explains why the addictive substance or activity tends to replace other, more healthy sources of reward.

These other types of rewards are frequently delayed such as the return of good health. An unfortunate cycle also develops. As addiction progresses, the availability of natural, healthy pleasures rewards decline due to the addiction.

Friendships are strained. Loved ones become bitter. Meaningful jobs or hobbies are lost or abandoned. When this happens, addicted people become more and more dependent on their addiction as their sole source of reward. This creates an unfortunate but powerful addictive cycle. Punishment also plays an important role in the development of addiction.