The learning approach to alcohol addiction

Question 1

What is initiation of the learning approach to alcohol addiction?

Answer 1

Positive reinforcement (a pleasurable reward) - biological (VTA - NA) or environment e.g. friends at bar drinking games etc

Question 2

What is maintenance of the learning approach to alcohol addiction?

Answer 2

Negative reinforcement – An operant conditioning concept where the behaviour is increased to escape something unpleasant. watching others means you learn that drinking helps with stress. drinking continues to stop withdrawal symptoms (physiological) and craving and anxiety (psychological symptoms)
Motivational toxicity – the rewards from drinking become greater than from other activities that the user felt rewards from.

Question 3

Why d people relapse learning approach to alcohol addiction?

Answer 3

Negative reinforcement – drinking might be started again to relieve stress of everyday life.

Question 4

What are the strengths of the learning approach to alcohol addiction?

Answer 4

Strengths
supported by biology findings. The brain can become hyperactive during withdrawal, the HPA (fight or flight) is activated – stress caused and person starts drinking again.
useful for treating addicts. Showing addicts cues for drinking e.g. glasses, bottles, smells and not letting them drink can help them overcome addiction.

Question 5

What are the weaknesses of the learning approach to alcohol addiction?

Answer 5

Weakness
most evidence is based on the idea of reward from dopamine release. Evidence with rats showed that endorphins were an important part in addiction.
operant conditioning cannot explain the change from use to abuse. Why some people get addicted and others use but do not. One factor could be the influence of genes.