Punishing Versus Reinforcing Strategies of Drug Discontinuance: Effect of Persuaders' Drug Use

Abstract

This study tests and extends inconsistent nurturing as control theory (Le Poire, 1992,1995) by exploring the use of reinforcing and punishing drug discontinuance strategies based on the drug-use status of the functional/persuading partners (past abuse, current abuse, current use, and nonuse). All partners were inconsistent in their use of reinforcement and punishment of substance abuse, with past abusers punishing the substance abuse most before they labeled the drug use as problematic, and current users and nonusers punishing the substance abuse the most following the labeling and in the postfrustration period. Additionally, current abusers were the most reinforcing of alternative behavior during every time period, a strategy that was most highly related to reduction in relapse. Furthermore, nonusers utilized the most indulgence and antidrink strategies, that are in opposition based on their reinforcing and punishing natures. Past abusers were rated as most persuasively effective by their partners, whereas nonusers were evaluated as the least persuasively effective. Finally, drug use was related to the mental health of the persuading partner, in that current abusers and nonusers were significantly more depressed and anxious than past abusers or current users.