Lasting translation: how to improve animal models for addiction treatment

Response to commentaries

“…We thank the commentators for doing so, and we found common ground with each of them who highlighted issues that we discussed in our paper. Specifically, the importance of distinguishing animal models of addiction from models of drug instrumentalization , the possibilities afforded by the 0/3 crit model and its combination with alternative reinforcers, including social interaction and the important role for pre‐clinical models in delineating brain adaptations associated with chronic drug use or vulnerability to addiction .…”

“…This construct is dependent upon language and therefore impossible to model in non‐human animals. Rebuttals to this argument reiterated the features of addiction that can be modelled in animals using the 0/3 crit model or the need to apply the 0/3 crit model to vulnerable subpopulations of animals . Both counterpoints sidestep our argument that animal models may never be able to capture the essential features of addiction in humans, no matter how sophisticated.…”

“…Both counterpoints sidestep our argument that animal models may never be able to capture the essential features of addiction in humans, no matter how sophisticated. Indeed, two commentators referred to the role of language in their rebuttals: by acknowledging that drug users ‘ask for support when their drug taking becomes maladaptive’ or by pointing out that humans with addiction may want different things from treatment (complete abstinence versus moderation) . Indeed, moderation of drinking is a desirable and achievable goal for many people with alcohol dependence , but clinical research depends upon patients’ ability to verbalize their treatment goal.…”