Frustration brake failure hypothesis of substance use disorders - Takeaways - MDSpire
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The Frustration Tolerance Breakdown Theory in Substance Use Disorders

  • By

  • Yorkiris Mármol Contreras

  • Rocio Sanchez Rivas

  • Shaina Banh

  • Iona C. Duncan

  • Sindhuja Earagolla

  • Thomas A. Green

  • August 14, 2026

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  • 1

    Individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) often continue drug-seeking despite significant frustrations that typically deter others.

  • 2

    The frustration brake failure hypothesis posits that frustration fails to moderate motivation in certain individuals with SUDs.

  • 3

    Frustration serves a biphasic role in drug-seeking behavior, enhancing motivation at low levels and diminishing it at high levels for those without SUDs.

  • 4

    The proposed therapeutic approach aims to target neurobiological mechanisms to restore frustration's role in reducing drug-seeking motivation.

  • 5

    Existing hypotheses on SUDs, like the CNDS and incentive sensitization hypotheses, do not adequately address the role of frustration in motivation.

Original Source(s)

Frustration brake failure hypothesis of substance use disorders

  • by Yorkiris Mármol Contreras, Rocio Sanchez Rivas, Shaina Banh, Iona C. Duncan, Sindhuja Earagolla, Thomas A. Green

  • August 14, 2026

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