Peer influences on drug self-administration: an econometric analysis in socially housed rats.

摘要: Social-learning theories of substance use propose that members peer groups influence the drug other by selectively modeling, reinforcing, and punishing either abstinence-related or drug-related behaviors. The objective present study was to examine social influences on cocaine self-administration in isolated socially housed rats, with caveat rats were tested simultaneously their partner same chamber. To this end, male obtained at weaning pair-housed conditions for 6 weeks. Rats then implanted intravenous catheters examined custom-built operant conditioning chambers allowed two be simultaneously. For some subjects, both had simultaneous access cocaine; others, only one rat pair cocaine. An econometric analysis applied data, reinforcing strength measured examining consumption (i.e., quantity demanded) elasticity demand as a function price, which manipulated varying dose ratio requirements fixed schedule reinforcement. Cocaine decreased price all groups. Elasticity did not vary across groups, but significantly lower paired without These data suggest presence an abstaining decreases cocaine, thus supporting development interventions abuse prevention treatment programs.