The Bruce Alexander Experiment: How does environment affect drug addiction?

Although we know how addiction works, when observing those who are dependent on substances, many may wonder how they chose such a harmful path and why they are unable to escape its clutches. Generally speaking, we think of the psychoactive effects of drugs as a major component of addiction. However, Bruce Alexander’s experiments broadened this perspective.

According to the Canadian psychologist and professor, Environmental and social conditions have a strong influence on addiction, because they increase the tendency to take drugs. In this way, our environment can determine our likelihood of becoming addicted. If you’re wondering what these statements are based on, we’ll show you below.

Bruce Alexander Experiment

Bruce Alexander’s hypothesis stems from mythical addiction experiments on rodents in the 1960s. In the experiment, rats were kept in a cage and given two dispensers: one containing water and the other containing water plus some drug (cocaine or heroin). Most rats are ‘obsessed’ with this substance They end up drinking this water continuously until they even die from an overdose.

In other experiments, animals were introduced (through surgical intervention) to a device that allowed them to self-administer drugs by pressing a lever in their cage.What happened was that many of them started pressing the joystick repeatedly, even They forget to drink water or eat to continue taking their medication.

These experiments lead us to believe that a similar situation occurs in humans and that dependence results from the great addictive potential of these substances. However, Bruce Alexander questions whether this is actually the cause, or if it’s the rodent’s environmental conditions that are affecting it.

Let’s remember that the mice used in these studies are social, curious, and sexually active animals that like to be in large spaces and interact with other species. so, The impoverished, isolated environment of the cage is truly torture for them.

mouse park

To test his hypothesis, Alexander designed his famous “Rat Park.”. Among them, the size of the cage is much larger than that usually used. Rodents are provided with an abundance of food and entertainment designed to simulate their natural environment as closely as possible. They also have the same two drinking fountains, with and without medication.

When comparing caged rats with those that enjoyed the “park,” it was found that the latter took longer to try the drug, and They prefer plain water, even after trying water containing this substance. In fact, they seem to avoid and try to avoid the positive effects of the drug.

Several rats were even forced to eat the substance for 57 days (long enough to develop addiction) before it was introduced into the park. However, it was observed that upon arrival and being given the choice, they preferred to drink tap water.

These results confirm that, in fact, environmental and social factors contribute to addiction.That Environmental isolation, sensory deprivation and poverty are determining factors.

Later experiments even found that if rats had to choose between drug administration and interacting with a social partner, the rats would choose the latter. Furthermore, among those who freely chose to give up the substance, no subsequent increase in desire to consume was observed, as was seen among those who were forced to abstain.

It’s not you, it’s your cage

This perspective has also transferred to new approaches and interventions in human addiction.It is increasingly recognized that addiction is not just a disease or pathology; A way for people to adapt to harmful and lacking environments and societies.

Society is increasingly fragmented. As individualism takes hold, we are losing our traditions and communities, and our connections with family and neighbors are diminishing. This can lead to human disconnection, alienation, and lack of identity, meaning, and purpose.

We don’t enjoy meaningful and functional connections, and we don’t feel like we have a place in the world, which robs us of a much-needed sense of belonging. In this way, life experience becomes empty and meaningless. For some, the impact of this phenomenon is much greater and creates great inner hopelessness and hopelessness. so, Medication seemed to be the only form of relief and compensation.

Somehow, Addicts find their identity and purpose in their addiction.. You have something that identifies you, something to think about and care for. For this reason, he remains steadfast in this despite the negative consequences and guilt it creates.

A new perspective on intervention

Taken together, we understand that it is time to move away from the notion of addiction as a personal weakness or merely a medical pathology and start considering social and cultural factors. Recovery from drug addiction requires reintegration into society Deeply and appropriately. that is, to restore its place in the functional community.

This approach does not detract from or deny the effectiveness of different interventions that have been applied in addiction treatment in recent years. However, it urges us to also remember that cage, which is invisible to humans but which, if it does not change, will continue to lead to dependence on substances and habits for many.

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