Social Learning Theory of Addiction and Recovery Implications
A. Tom Horvath, Ph.D., ABPP, Kaushik Misra, Ph.D., Amy K. Epner, Ph.D., and Galen Morgan Cooper, Ph.D.According to social learning theory, our observations of other people engaging in addictive behavior can lead to the development of addiction. When we observe the behavior and reactions of other people using addictive substances (or activities) we may wish to repeat what we saw. For instance, suppose we observed an agitated, frazzled parent coming home from work. She drinks a few drinks, then becomes relaxed and fun to be around. We observed that alcohol is a good way of coping with stress.
Recovery consists of learning new ways to cope with stress. This might include developing friendships with people who do not use addictive substances. By associating with people who enjoy life without alcohol or drugs, we observe and learn something new. Recovery might also include watching a friend, coach, sponsor, or therapist modeling healthy behavior. We could then begin practicing these behaviors. For instance, a therapist and therapy participant could role-play a situation where a friend is offering them drugs. With practice, the therapy participant would learn how to cope with peer pressure to use.
Questions for personal reflection from social learning theory: Wouldn't I benefit from realizing that just because my parents smoked pot in order to cope with stress at work, I don't need to do the same thing? Wouldn't I be better off if I developed some relationships with people who didn't smoke pot? What else do I really have in common with my friends except buying and smoking marijuana together? Are those people really my friends? What would happen if I had other friends who enjoyed healthier activities? Wouldn't I learn to enjoy those activities with them?
Resources
Articles
- What is Addiction?
- Introduction to What is An Addiction
- Definition of Addiction
- Definiton of Addiction Continued
- The Addiction Definition Compared to Other Addiction Terms
- How Do I Know if I Have An Addiction?
- Why Don't They Just Stop? Addiction and the Loss of Control
- Is Alcoholism a Disease?
- Addiction Statistics: How Big of a Problem Is It?
- A Brief History of Alcoholism
- What Causes Addiction?
- Introduction to Causes of Addiction
- The Many Causes of Addiction and Bio-Psych-Social-Spiritual Model
- Biological Causes of Addiction
- Disease Model of Addiction and Recovery Implications
- Evolutionary Model of Addiction and Recovery Implications
- Psychological Causes of Addiction
- Learning Theory of Addiction and Recovery Implications:
- Social Learning Theory of Addiction and Recovery Implications
- Cognitive (Expectancy) Theory of Addiction and Recovery Implications
- Educational Model of Addiction and Recovery Implications
- Developmental Model of Addiction and Recovery Implications
- Sociological Causes of Addiction and the Temperance Model
- General Systems Theory of Addiction and Recovery Implications
- Sociocultural Model of Addiction and Recovery Implications
- Public Health Model of Addiction and Recovery Implications
- Moral and Spiritual Causes of Addiction
- Addiction and Personal Responsibility: A Fundamental Conflict
- Personal Responsibility and Locus of Control
- Controversies in the Addiction Field: Change Versus Acceptance
- Conflict between 12-Step Anonymous Groups and Science: A Historical Perspective
- Conflict between 12-Step Anonymous Groups and Science Continued
- How Do You Get Addicted?
- Introduction to How Do You Get Addicted?
- The Biology of Addiction and Recovery
- How Does Addiction Affect the Brain?
- Addiction Changes the Brain's Chemistry
- Addiction Changes the Brain's Communication Pathways
- Addiction Changes Brain Structures and Their Functioning
- Impaired Decision-making, Impulsivity, and Compulsivity: Addictions' Effect on the Cerebral Cortex
- Drug Seeking and Cravings: Addictions' Effect on the Brain's Reward System
- Habit Formation, Craving, Withdrawal, and Relapse Triggers: Addictions' Effect on the Amygdala
- Stress Regulation and Withdrawal: Addictions' Effect on the Hypothalamus
- The Good News: The Brain Also Helps to Reverse Addiction
- The Psychology of Addiction and Recovery
- Learning Theory and Addiction
- Classical Conditioning and Addiction
- Operant Conditioning and Addiction
- Social Learning Theory and Addiction
- Cognitive Theory and Addiction (Thoughts, Beliefs, Expectations)
- Cognitive Theory and Addiction Continued
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Improving Coping Skills
- Addiction and Other Psychological Disorders
- Developmental Theory and Addiction
- Recovery from Addiction: The Psychology of Motivation and Change
- Addiction: Social and Cultural Influences
- Addiction and Sociological Influences: Culture and Ethnicity
- Recovery from Addiction: Becoming Aware of Cultural Influences
- Recovery from Addiction: The Powerful Influence of Families
- Recovery from Addiction: Social Support
- The Spirituality of Addiction & Recovery
- The Spirituality of Addiction & Recovery Continued
- Incorporating Spirituality into Recovery from Addiction
- Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
- How Do You Know If You Have An Addiction?
- The Diagnostic Criteria for Substance Use Disorders (Addiction)
- The Diagnostic Criteria of Substance-Induced Disorders
- Alcohol-Related Disorders
- Caffeine-Use Disorders
- Cannabis-Related Disorders (Marijuana)
- Hallucinogen-Related Disorders
- Inhalant-Related Disorders
- Opioid-Related Disorders (Heroin, Oxycontin®, Vicodin® and other pain medications)
- Sedative-, Hypnotic-, Or Anxiolytic-Related Disorders
- Stimulant Use Disorder: Amphetamine Type (e.g., methamphetamine)
- Tobacco-Related Disorders
- Other Substance-Related Diagnosis and Unspecified Other Substance-Related Disorder
- Activity Addictions (Behavioral Addictions)
- Gambling Disorder (Addiction)
- Sexual Addiction and Pornography Addiction
- Other Activity (or Behavioral) Addictions: Internet Gaming Disorder (Addiction)
- Other Activity (or Behavioral) Addictions: Food Addiction
- Addiction and Other Psychological Disorders
- Addiction and Eating Disorders
- Addiction and Personality Disorders
- Addiction with Depression, Anxiety, and Compulsive Disorders
- Summary of the Diagnostic Process
- Treatment for Addiction
- Treatment for Addiction
- Natural Recovery: Recovery from Addiction Without Treatment
- Natural Recovery Continued
- Choosing An Effective Treatment Approach: Evidenced-Based Practices
- What Makes An Addictions Treatment Effective?
- Biological Approaches to Addiction Treatment: Medications
- The Role of Medication in Addictions Treatment
- Pharmacologic Medications for Addictions Treatment
- Pharmacologic Medications for Addictions Treatment: Part II
- Psychological Approaches to Addiction Treatment
- Motivation for Change: The Stages of Change Model
- Motivation for Change Continued
- Types of Evidenced-Based (Effective) Treatments for Addiction: Motivational Interviewing
- Relapse Prevention Therapy
- Contingency Management
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- What The Pros Know: The Practical Recovery Model
- Social Approaches Addictions Recovery
- A Cultural Approach to Addictions Treatment: Harm Reduction
- Family Approaches to Addictions Treatment: CRAFT, Intervention And Al-Anon
- The Social Support Approach to Addictions Recovery: Recovery Support Groups
- Self-Empowering Support Groups for Addiction Recovery: Smart Recovery
- Moderation Management
- Women for Sobriety
- LifeRing Secular Recovery and Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS)
- Summary of Self-Empowering Support Groups
- Spiritual Approaches to Addiction Recovery
- 12-Step Support Groups: Groups That End With "Anonymous"
- 12-Step Support Groups: Part II
- 12-Step Support Groups: Part III
- Expanding Addiction Treatment Choices in the United States
- Developing a Personal Action Plan for Addiction Recovery: Part I
- Developing a Personal Action Plan for Addiction Recovery: Part II
- References
- Resources
- Frequentlly Asked Questions about Addiction
- What is Addiction?
News
- Women Lead Upswing in U.S. Binge Drinking
- Fewer Americans Now Struggle With 'Problem' Pot Use
- 'Cannabis Use Disorder' Up in States That Legalized Recreational Pot
- One Region Is Being Hit Hardest by U.S. Opioid Crisis
- Health Tip: Medication and Substance Abuse Recovery
- For Rural Patients, Opioid Treatment Centers Often Too Far Away
- Beating Opioid Addiction Can Be Tough, Here's What Helps
- What Fuels Your Appetite for Taking a Gamble?
- Purdue Pharma to Settle Opioid Crisis Lawsuits, May Pay Up to $12 Billion
- U.S. Opioid Deaths Take a Small Dip, as Fentanyl Leaves Deadly Mark
- 39 more
- 'Synthetic Pot' Laced With Rat Poison Lands People in the ER
- America Has a Huge -- and Very Costly -- Drug Habit
- Lethal Deception: Deaths From Cocaine Laced With Fentanyl on the Rise
- Many Young Americans Regret Online Posts Made While High
- Too Few U.S. Opioid Users Are Getting OD Antidote
- Why Do Some People Drink Until They Black Out? Twitter Offers Clues
- Drug Experimentation and Summer a Dangerous Duo
- Alcoholism Harms 53 Million Americans Who Don't Have a Drinking Problem
- Rates of Drug-, Alcohol-Linked Death Triple After Weight-Loss Surgery
- Fatal Opioid ODs Rise as Temperatures Fall
- Legalizing Medical Pot Won't Ease Opioid Crisis: Study
- 'Secret Shopper' Study Finds Many Who Need Addiction Treatment Can't Get It
- Health Tip: Naloxone Fast Facts
- Opioid Prescriptions to Teens, Young Adults Still Common
- Could CBD Treat Opioid Addiction?
- Heroin ODs Have Started Declining in Some States
- Health Tip: Signs of Binge Drinking
- Quantity, Not Type of Opioid Matters for Post-Op Dependency
- Many Drug Abusers Use Family Members to 'Opioid Shop'
- Poor, Minorities Shortchanged on Opioid Addiction Treatments
- Fentanyl Becoming a Deadly Accomplice in Cocaine, Meth Abuse
- FDA Approves 1st Generic Nasal Spray Against Opioid Overdose
- Do American Adults Drink Too Much? Study Says Yes
- In Most States, Insurance Won't Cover Addiction Treatments
- Overdose Deaths From Fentanyl Soaring: Report
- Many With Opioid Addiction Don't Get Meds That Can Help
- Among Rich Nations, U.S. Has Highest Rate of Fatal Drug ODs
- How Heavy Drinking Might Boost Your Appetite for Alcohol
- Opioid Addicts Are Overdosing on Diarrhea Drug
- Many Addiction Centers Lack Anti-Opioid Meds: Study
- Are Some Opioid Abusers Using Their Pets to Get the Drugs?
- 1-800-662-HELP: Too Few Opioid Users Aware of Lifesaving Helpline
- At Risk for an Opioid OD? There's an App for That
- After Opioid OD, Most Patients Can Leave Hospital in an Hour
- Advice for Battling Opioid Addiction
- U.S. Opioid Addiction Crisis Is Top Health Story of 2018
- Opioid OD Deaths Soaring Among Native Americans
- Today's More Potent Pot Means Higher Odds for Dependence: Study
- Health Tip: Talk to Your Kids About Alcohol
Tests
Self-Help Groups
Links
Videos
- Technology Addiction
- Why People Can Become Addicted to Opioids
- The Swiss Cheese Model of Drug Addiction
- The 7 Skills for Addiction-Free Living: Alternatives to Substance Abuse
- Teen Drug Use: 2014 Monitoring The Future Survey Results
- Sex and Gender Differences of Importance to Addiction Science
- How to Tell if a Loved One is Abusing Opioids
- Why Addiction is a “Disease” and Why Is It Important
- NIDA Emerging Drugs-Methylone and Molly
- Addiction: Treat It Like a disease
- 44 more
- Treatment of Addiction
- Designed to Drink? The Genetics of Alcoholism
- Treatment of Addiction
- Women and Addiction: Why Gender Matters
- New Research on Addiction Issues and LGBTQ Community
- Designed to Drink? The Genetics of Alcoholism
- Gaming disorder: questions and answers
- What is Addiction?
- ADHD & Risk of Adult Drug Use
- Energy Drink Sparking More ER Visits
- Addiction Video
- Why are Drugs So Hard To Quit
- Anyone Can Become Addicted to Drugs
- Substance Use: Addiction Theories New Treatments and the Role of Doctoring in Society
- The Impact of Changing Social Behaviors on Teen Drug Use
- Teen Substance Use
- Cannabis Effects on Driving Performance
- Epidemiology of Tobacco Use
- Addiction: Learning to Forget
- Are You Talking to Your Kids about Prescription Drugs?
- Addiction: What Can I Do About It?
- Addiction: Treat It Like a disease
- Addiction: What Is It?
- How to Help Your Child Succeed When Addiction Trouble Hits
- One in 4 People Prescribed Opioids Progresses to Longer-Term Prescriptions
- NIDA’s Dr. Phil Skolnick discusses intranasal naloxone
- "Eyes On" Research in Drugged Driving
- How Will Anti-Drug Vaccines Be Used? An Interview With Dr. Thomas Kosten
- Opioid Use in Pregnancy: A Community’s Approach
- Naloxone Rescue Kits
- Living Without Fear
- Chronic Pain, Heroin, and the US Epidemic of Opioid Abuse
- Hooked, Hacked, Hijacked: Reclaim Your Brain from Addictive Living
- Addressing Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Substance Abuse Treatment
- The Reward Circuit: How the Brain Responds to Cocaine
- The Reward Circuit: How the Brain Responds to Methamphetamine
- The Reward Circuit: How the Brain Responds to Marijuana
- The Reward Circuit: How the Brain Responds to Natural Rewards and Drugs
- Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) for Addictions Video (vol. 1)
- Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Addictions (vol. 2)
- Prescription Opioid Misuse
- Substance Use Disorders/Addictions - Clinical Overview
- Addiction in the Elderly
- Teenagers, ADHD, and Substance Abuse
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