At the heart of homeostatic theory is the idea that explicit or implicit behavioral demands placed on physiological systems are required for the biological detection of homeostatic disturbances. The detection of drug-induced disturbances is required to drive the development of all systemic tolerance, both associative and nonassociative (i.e., both forms of tolerance are behaviorally contingent). A wide range of findings ranging from morphine-induced analgesia to ethanol-induced hyposexuality shows that contingent tolerance is pervasive and may be universal. The theory also stipulates that behavioral demands placed on the target system will govern the loss of both associative and nonassociative tolerance (physiological). The present formulation integrates contingent, associative, and nonassociative tolerance and drug-opposite withdrawal reactions within a unified theory.

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Using Schachter's theory of emotion as a starting point, two predictions regarding the interaction of alcohol consumed in social and solitary situations were tested experimentally. It was predicted that the cognitive circumstances of social drinking would promote an affective response to alcohol, whereas the same objective level of intoxication would be responded to as physical symptoms among solitary drinkers. Additionally, it was predicted that the social manipulation would be effective only to the extent that "plasticity" was induced, that is, only when alcohol and not placebo was consumed. Both predictions were generally confirmed, using self-report of mood and observer ratings of amusement as dependent variables. It was conjectured that the social circumstances of drinking may be important in determining the reinforcing value of the intoxicated state.

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