Drug Self‐Administration Paradigms: Methods for Quantifying Motivation in Experimental Research

This chapter provides a review of the diverse experimental methods for studying drug consumption under controlled laboratory conditions, or what are typically referred to as self‐administration paradigms. These methods measure an individual's level of motivation for a given drug, making them fundamental tools for both etiological and clinical research in addiction psychopharmacology. This chapter starts with a discussion of the importance of valid self‐administration methods in addiction research. Next, the array of methods available to addictions researchers is reviewed. Many of the approaches presented evolved from the domains of operant learning theory and behavioral economics. The chapter reviews the paradigms with a detailed discussion of demand curve analysis, a comprehensive analytic approach to consumption at escalating costs. The ethical issues in using self‐administration paradigms are also considered. Finally, the chapter explains priorities for further development and refinement of self‐administration paradigms in addiction psychopharmacology.