Cognitive-Social Learning Model

The function of biological and genetic factors in the development and maintenance of substance use and substance use disorders has been widely documented. Research has also indicated that cognitive-social learning variables, such as acquired expectations about substance use consumption and [Page 206]self-efficacy, can influence the development and maintenance of substance use and substance use disorders. Substance use researchers have long sought to understand the antecedent events and reinforcing consequences of substance use behaviors in an effort to provide better prevention efforts, intervention and treatment options, and tools for the maintenance of sobriety for substance abusing and substance dependent patients. An antecedent event is an event that precedes a substance use behavior and may tend to cause that behavior to occur. A consequence is the outcome ...