In the context of substance use, which of the following is the significance of the animal research that led to the positive reinforcement model?
A) It indicates that prescription drugs are important contributors to overall drug toxicity figures.
B) It implies that psychological dependence is more important than physical dependence in explaining repeated drug use.
C) It points out the scientific value of the concept of reinforcement for understanding physical dependence.
D) It proves that using one of the gateway substances causes one to escalate to more deviant forms of drug use.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Animal research leading to the positive reinforcement model has shown that animals will repeatedly self-administer drugs that increase dopamine levels in the brain's reward pathways, indicating that the pleasurable effects (psychological dependence) play a significant role in repeated drug use. This research underscores the importance of the brain's reward system in the process of addiction, rather than focusing solely on physical dependence.

In the Context of Substance Use, Which of the Following