Assessment of the relative reinforcement value of smoking and drinking using a multiple-choice measurement strategy.
To examine the relative reinforcement value of smoking and drinking, separately and in combination, a multiple-choice questionnaire was administered to 78 individuals seeking outpatient treatment for concurrent tobacco and alcohol dependence. Participants made choices between pairs of substances and then between each substance and a series of monetary values. Results demonstrated that the combination (one cigarette and one drink) was preferred over each individual substance. The mean crossover monetary points for a cigarette (8.1 US dollars) and a drink (10.8 US dollars) were significantly lower than for the combination (13.75 US dollars). Correlational analyses revealed positive associations between drug reinforcement values and dependence-related measures. The utility of this measurement strategy in understanding and treating polydrug use is discussed.
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, U.T. Mental Sciences Institute, University of Texas Medical School, Houston TX 77030, USA. joy.m.schmitz@uth.tmc.edu
Joy A
JA
Schmitz
Shelly L
SL
Sayre
Patricia S
PS
Hokanson
Ralph
R
Spiga
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011594:Psychometrics; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000523:psychology*