Strengths and Limitations of Learning Theory

Table of Contents:

The learning theory and cognitive approach are useful theories with addictions and substance use disorders. We can understand how the use of a drug might be initiated through observational learning and classical conditioning. Then the use is maintained through positive and negative reinforcement. The cognitive approach explains how our thinking about alcohol and other drugs impacts our substance use and addictive behaviors. Further, research has shown the effectiveness of CBT with people who are struggling with addictions (CSAT, 1999; McHugh et al., 2010).

The weakness of the theory is based in a statement by my co-author (Dr. C). It might explain why some people use alcohol and other drugs and become addicted, but it doesn’t explain why some people use and do not become addicted. However, behaviorists might challenge this line of thinking, stating that the drug wasn’t reinforcing enough to sustain behaviors associated with substance use disorder or addiction.

In this chapter, there was a discussion of such terms as “classical” and “operant” conditioning, and “observational learning.” Further, we learned about the cognitive approach.The last area we covered is how to apply these terms to counseling people with substance use disorders.

Case Study

Jenny is 21 years old. She has an opiate use disorder (heroin).She has overdosed twice.

In terms of her past, Jenny reports a happy childhood. She was pregnant at 16 and decided to give the child away as she thought it would be best if someone older and more stable (employed, etc.) were able to take care of the child. She says she felt empty and sad when this happened. She started thinking, then, that she was a bad person.

Jenny started snorting heroin at age 17.The heroin took away “everything” and she found her “best friend/worst enemy” at the same time. She does not work. She asks for and gets money from her family, who feel bad that she had an addiction.To support her habit, she started stealing. She was arrested once for stealing.

Case Conceptualization

Jenny starts doing heroin at 17 and removes “everything” negative. This is negative reinforcement. As she uses the drug it removes an aversive stimulus (negative emotional feelings and thoughts related giving her child away etc.) and therefore, increases the likelihood that she will do it again.

The family positively reinforces Jenny’s behavior of asking for money (which she later uses for drugs). Jenny asks for money, the family gives her the money (reinforcer), which increases the likelihood that Jenny will ask for money again.

Jenny’s arrest for stealing and then being asked to leave her family’s home weren’t strong enough punishments. Punishments are immediate consequences that make it less likely that a person (Jenny) will repeat a behavior in a similar situation in the future.

Best treatment may be CBT or RET so it focuses on her thoughts (“I’m a bad person”), feelings (feeling empty) and her drug-taking behavior (use of drugs).The counselor may work with Jenny on her cognitive distortions. Additionally, Jenny may complete a contingency management contract regarding her use of heroin.

References

CSAT (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment). (1999). Brief interventions and brief therapies for substance abuse. Treatment Improvement Protocol Series No. 34. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Dryden, W., & Neenan, M. (2004). The rational emotive behavioral approach to therapeutic change.Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Ellis. A.. McInerney,).F., DiGiuseppe, R., & Yeager, R.J. (1988). Rational-emotive therapy with alcoholics and substance abusers. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

Engler, B. (2014). Personality theories: An introduction (9th edn). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/ Cengage Learning.

Koob, G. F., Caine, S.B., Parsons, L.. Markou, A., & Weiss, F. (1997). Opponent process model and psychostimulant addiction. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, 57(3), 513—521.

Lamb, R.J., Schindler, C.W., & Pinkston,J.W. (2016). Conditioned stimuli’s role in relapse: Preclinical research on Pavlovian instrumental transfer. Psychopharmocology, 233, 1933-1944.

McHugh, R.K., Hearon, B.A., & Otto, M.W. (2010). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for substance use disorders. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 33(3), 511—525.

Miltenberger, R.G. (2012). Behavior modification: Principles and procedures (5th edn). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

NIDA (National Institute of Drug Abuse). (2012). Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research-based guide. Washington, DC: Author.

NIDA (National Institute of Drug Abuse). (2014). Principles of drug addiction treatment for criminal justice populations: A research-based ¿ni'de. Washington, DC: Author.

NIDA (National Institute of Drug Abuse). (2018). Community reinforcement approach plus vouchers (alcohol, cocaine, opioids). Retrieved from www.drugabuse.gov/publications/ principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/ evidence-based-approaches-to-drug-addiction-treatment/behavioral-1

SMART Recovery. (2018). Smart Recovery: Self management and recovery training. Retrieved from www.smartrecovery.org/

Solomon, R.L. (1980). The opponent process theory of acquired motivation:The costs of pleasure and the benefits of pain. American Psychologist, 35,691—712.

Solomon, R.L., & Corbit, J.D. (1974). An opponent process theory of motivation: 1. Temporal dynamics of affect. Psychological Review, 81, 119—145.

Steg, L.,Van Den Berg, A. E., & De Groot, J. I. M. (Eds). (2012). Environmental Psychology: An Introduction. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell.

Thombs, D.L., & Osborn, CJ. (2013). Introduction to addictive behaviors (4th edn). New York: Guilford Press.

Strengths and Limitations of Learning Theory

Case Study

Recommended Reading and Resources

References