'Discuss one or more learning explanations of addiction'

The social learning theory puts forward the idea that addiction occurs through observation and communication. The individual is motivated to engage in behaviors whose outcome is valued in which they feel capable of performing effectively. Therefore if the user learns about the positive consequences of the drug use weather they are learnt directly from the drug use itself of through vicarious learning, they are more likely to repeat the drug use. A good example of vicarious learning would be that of smoking. The initial experience of smoking is unpleasant. Operant theory states that this powerful punishment, directly associated with the act of smoking, should lead to an immediate cessation of such behavior. Vicarious learning suggests that at the same time the individual experiences the first consequences of smoking, they also observed in others that smoking could be an enjoyable and rewarding behavior, so they persist in the expectation of future enjoyment. Models can be Family and friends but the media also provides an enormous number of models of behavior. High status persons exert a stronger influence on behavior than low status individuals (Winett et al 1989). Modeling can be used to teach skills necessary to achieve behavioral change, or increased efficacy expectations through seeing others attempting and succeeding in change.
Because most drugs have positive and negative effects, users are motivated to both approach a drug and avoid it. This creates an approach avoidance conflict, where motivation fluctuates between wanting to use the drug and wanting to stop. Maintenance also occurs because addicts have learned to associate other stimuli with the drug. If a person stops using a drug for a period of time and then comes into contact with one of stimuli they are very likely to relapse.