PUNISHING VERSUS REINFORCING STRATEGIES OF DRUG DISCONTINUANCE - EFFECT OF PERSUADERS DRUG-USE

This study tests and extends inconsistent nurturing as control theory (Le Poire, 1992, 1995) by exploring the use of reinforcing and punishi ng drug discontinuance strategies based on the drug-use status of the functional/persuading partners (past abuse, current abuse, current use , and nonuse). All partners were inconsistent in their use of reinforc ement and punishment of substance abuse, with past abusers punishing t he substance abuse most before they labeled the drug use as problemati c, and current users and nonusers punishing the substance abuse the mo st following the labeling and in the postfrustration period. Additiona lly, current abusers were the most reinforcing of alternative behavior during every time period, a strategy that was most highly related to reduction in relapse. Furthermore, nonusers utilized the most indulgen ce and antidrink strategies, that are in opposition based on their rei nforcing and punishing natures. Past abusers were rated as most persua sively effective by their partners, whereas nonusers were evaluated as the least persuasively effective. Finally, drug use was related to th e mental health of the persuading partner, in that current abusers and nonusers were significantly more depressed and anxious than past abus ers or current users.