THE EXTINCTION OF NATURALLY-OCCURRING CONDITIONED REACTIONS IN PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE USERS - ANALOG STUDIES

In the present series of studies we develop an analog approach for the study of conditioned reactions to drug stimuli. The analog we study i s the naturally occurring conditioned reaction of salivation at the si ght of a lemon. We show that this conditioned reaction can be extingui shed, that spontaneous recovery occurs, and that the conditioned react ion increases after ''relapse.'' Further, we show that massed extincti on trials lead to greater extinction than do spaced trials. This analo g provides an approach that can be used to develop cue-exposure treatm ents that minimize spontaneous recovery from extinction and reduce the likelihood of relapse.