Which psychological theory explains how the body adapts to drug use, producing tolerance and withdrawal?

Which psychological theory explains how the body adapts to drug use, producing tolerance and withdrawal?

• A. Opponent process
• B. Pink cloud
• C. Outpatient treatment
• D. Oxford houses

Answer: (A)

Opponent-process theory explains how the body adapts to drug use by triggering a counteracting response to the drug’s effects. When a drug is taken, the body experiences a primary effect—often pleasurable or reinforcing. In response, the body initiates an opposing process designed to restore balance. With repeated use, this opposing response strengthens, so the same amount of drug produces less of the initial effect (tolerance). When the drug isn’t present, the stronger opposing response becomes unmasked, leading to withdrawal symptoms. This framework ties together why tolerance and withdrawal emerge as adaptations to ongoing exposure. The other terms aren’t theories of adaptation: the pink cloud refers to a transient early euphoria, while outpatient treatment and Oxford Houses describe treatment settings or living arrangements, not mechanisms of physiological change.

Opponent-process theory explains how the body adapts to drug use by triggering a counteracting response to the drug’s effects. When a drug is taken, the body experiences a primary effect—often pleasurable or reinforcing. In response, the body initiates an opposing process designed to restore balance. With repeated use, this opposing response strengthens, so the same amount of drug produces less of the initial effect (tolerance). When the drug isn’t present, the stronger opposing response becomes unmasked, leading to withdrawal symptoms. This framework ties together why tolerance and withdrawal emerge as adaptations to ongoing exposure. The other terms aren’t theories of adaptation: the pink cloud refers to a transient early euphoria, while outpatient treatment and Oxford Houses describe treatment settings or living arrangements, not mechanisms of physiological change.