Theory 38/Addiction cycle/Progression phase
Progression Is Goal to Habit
The claim
The transition to compulsive use is set by the rate at which control shifts from goal-directed to habitual, so fast shift produces compulsion without escalation.
01Mechanism
Repeated use transfers control to dorsal striatum; the rate sets the transition.
02Prediction
Compulsivity should track the shift rate.
03Refutation
Compulsivity tracking dose would remove the shift.