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The ameliorating addict: An illusion reviewed

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 February 2010

Jack Bergman
Affiliation:
Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital/ADARC, Belmont, MA 02178; jbergman@warren.med.harvard.edu;
Klaus A. Miczek
Affiliation:
Tufts University, Department of Psychology, Medford, MA 02155; kmiczek@pearl.tufts.edu

Abstract

It is difficult to accommodate compulsive drug use that destroys regulation by consequences in a unitary framework of melioration or maximization, especially as both are strategies of behavioral regulation. The “contradiction” of addictive behavior despite aversive consequences is an illusory issue because consequences that do not decrease addictive behavior cannot be considered punishing.

Information

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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