COMPETING MOTIVATIONS - DRUG REINFORCEMENT VS NONDRUG REINFORCEMENT

A behavioral pharmacological conceptualization of drug abuse is summar ized, which views drug abuse as learned operant behavior that is reinf orced by positive effects produced by drugs of abuse. In this view dru g abuse may be better characterized as involving attraction rather tha n compulsion. Incentive-based treatments may be useful for overcoming and competing with the reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse. Illustra tive examples of incentive-based treatments for drug abuse, and their results, are described. The efficacy of incentive-based treatments ind icates that many substance abusers possess the necessary skills to ach ieve abstinence and suggests that motivational interventions alone may be sufficient in many cases. Areas for further research are discussed that relate to refining and developing incentive-based therapies and to improving their practical utility and public acceptability.