Learning and Memory - Chapter 7

What did Siegel's rat studies reveal about conditioned tolerance?

Rats given heroin in the same environment had only 32% mortality rate compared to 96% in first-time users and 64% in different environments, demonstrating the protective effect of environmental conditioning.

How do environmental cues contribute to drug relapse?

Environmental cues (people, places, paraphernalia) act as conditioned stimuli that trigger intense drug cravings, even years after stopping drug use.

Why is the "first drink/dose" particularly dangerous for recovering addicts?

The initial dose serves as a powerful cue that triggers stronger cravings and expectations for more drugs, creating a vicious cycle.

What are the key principles for effective extinction therapy?

Effective extinction therapy requires conducting sessions in multiple settings over an extended period of time. Sessions should incorporate the original contexts where drug use occurred, and in some cases may involve controlled drug exposure during the therapeutic process.