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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2025

A Procedure to Observe Context-induced Renewal of Pavlovian-conditioned Alcohol-seeking Behavior in Rats

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Environmental Uncertainty and Substance Use Disorders: A Behavior Analytic Perspective.

William S Doyle¹, Sally L Huskinson^1,2

¹Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS USA.

Policy Insights From the Behavioral and Brain Sciences

|March 29, 2024

Summary

Uncertainty in drug availability, quality, and outcomes worsens substance use disorder (SUD) and overdose deaths. Addressing these uncertainties through policy changes can mitigate harm and improve public health.

Keywords:

punishment reinforcement substance use disorder uncertain outcomes variable outcomes

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Published on: January 5, 2018

Area of Science:

Psychology
Public Health
Neuroscience

Background:

Substance use disorder (SUD) and drug overdose deaths pose significant public health and economic challenges in the U.S.
The psychology of uncertainty offers a framework for understanding and mitigating the harms associated with substance misuse.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the impact of uncertainty on substance use behaviors and outcomes.
To explore how uncertainties in drug acquisition, quality, and consequences influence substance use disorder (SUD).

Main Methods:

Review of laboratory investigations examining the effects of uncertain time/effort for substance acquisition and uncertain drug quality.
Analysis of how uncertain negative outcomes associated with drug use affect individuals with SUD.

Main Results:

Uncertainty in the time and effort required to obtain drugs, as well as uncertain drug quality, exacerbates harm in substance use.
Uncertainty regarding negative consequences does not effectively deter substance use in individuals with SUD.

Conclusions:

Understanding the psychology of uncertainty is crucial for developing effective interventions for substance use disorder (SUD).
Policy implications include improving access to medications, harm reduction services (e.g., safe injection sites, naloxone), and ending incarceration for substance use.