Reinforcement

Reinforcement is a learning process in which the consequences of a behaviour make that behaviour more likely to happen again. In addiction, substance use may be reinforced by pleasure, relief, social effects or other immediate consequences, even when longer-term harms are serious.

People do not repeat substance use only because it feels good.

Sometimes use becomes more likely because it produces something valued, such as pleasure, confidence, stimulation or social ease.

Sometimes it becomes more likely because it reduces something unpleasant, such as withdrawal discomfort, anxiety, tension or emotional distress.

Both are forms of reinforcement.

The important point is what happens to the behaviour afterwards.

If a consequence makes the behaviour more likely to recur, reinforcement has occurred.

This helps explain why substance use can continue even when enjoyment has faded and the person understands that the long-term consequences are serious.

Reinforcement influences behaviour.

It does not make behaviour inevitable, remove responsibility or mean that addiction can be reduced to one simple learning process.

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