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A Protocol for Measuring Cue Reactivity in a Rat Model of Cocaine Use Disorder

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Published on: June 18, 2018

A framework for the specificity of addictions.

Steve Sussman¹, Adam Leventhal, Ricky N Bluthenthal

¹Departments of Preventive Medicine and Psychology, University of Southern California, California 90032 CA, USA. ssussma@usc.edu

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

|September 13, 2011

Summary

This study introduces the Pragmatics, Attraction, Communication, and Expectation (PACE) model to explain why individuals develop specific addiction patterns. The PACE model offers a framework for understanding addiction specificity in substance and behavioral addictions.

Keywords:

PACE model addiction specificity

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Neuroscience
Behavioral Science

Background:

Extensive research indicates that diverse substance and behavioral addictions can fulfill comparable psychological functions.
Despite functional similarities, the co-occurrence of multiple addictions is observed in a minority of individuals.
Addiction specificity describes the tendency for individuals to develop certain addictive behaviors while avoiding others.

Purpose of the Study:

To present the Pragmatics, Attraction, Communication, and Expectation (PACE) model as a theoretical framework.
To elucidate the phenomenon of addiction specificity.
To guide future research directions concerning the development of specific addictive behaviors.

Main Methods:

Conceptual framework development.
Review of existing research on addiction functions and co-occurrence.
Description of the four key variables within the PACE model: Pragmatics, Attraction, Communication, and Expectation.

Main Results:

The PACE model provides a structured approach to understanding why addiction patterns differ among individuals.
The model highlights the interplay of pragmatic, attraction, communication, and expectation factors in shaping addictive behaviors.
Identifies specific variables that may influence the acquisition of one addiction over another.

Conclusions:

The PACE model offers a novel framework for explaining addiction specificity.
Further research utilizing the PACE variables is warranted to deepen our understanding of addiction development.
This model can inform clinical interventions by addressing the specific factors contributing to individual addiction patterns.