Do rats choose drugs over connection? Mostly, no. In a 2018 study often described as a modern version of the Rat Park experiment, rats that had learned to take methamphetamine or heroin almost always chose a minute with another rat over another hit of the drug. They only went back to the drug when connection became hard to get.
That last part is exactly what's happening to us with our phones.
Rat Park, and the 2018 experiment that took it further
You may have heard of Rat Park: psychologist Bruce Alexander's experiments in the late 1970s, where rats living together in a big, enriched “park” drank far less morphine-laced water than rats kept alone in cages. The results have been debated ever since, but the idea stuck: maybe addiction has a lot to do with environment and connection.
Then, once upon a time (October 15, 2018, to be exact), a group of scientists at the US National Institute on Drug Abuse published a study that asked the question even more directly: why do some get addicted, while others don't? What external circumstances contribute to addiction?
They explored it through a fascinating series of experiments with rats, their choices, and their behaviors.
Experiment 1: Do rats choose drugs or social interaction?
The researchers created an environment where rats could choose between two levers:
- One lever gave them a dose of methamphetamine or heroin.
- The other gave them about 60 seconds of interaction with another rat.
Over several weeks, the rats were free to press the lever of their choice.
The scientists first taught the rats to self-administer the drug, which means the rats knew what the drug felt like and how to get it.
The results were surprising: the rats almost always chose the company of another rat over the drug, even after weeks of taking it!
But there was a twist. When the scientists made the social reward harder to get, by adding a delay or a mild punishment like a small shock, some rats turned back to the drug.
Experiment 2: What about heavily addicted rats?
Next, the scientists focused on the rats that showed strong signs of addiction. These rats would chase the drug no matter what, even if it meant enduring small electric shocks or putting in extra effort to get it.
Would these “addicted” rats still prefer social interaction over drugs?
The answer? Yes! Even the most addicted rats chose social interaction over the drug, as long as the social reward wasn't delayed or punished.
Experiment 3: Does connection still win after binge use?
The scientists pushed further. They introduced a binge-like drug routine, with short bursts of drug access over long sessions, simulating how some humans overuse substances.
Afterwards, the rats were again offered the choice between the drug and social interaction.
The result? Social interaction still won. Even after intense drug use, the rats preferred the company of another rat.
Experiment 4: Why forced abstinence makes cravings stronger
What happens when rats are forced to stop?
Rats left alone in their cages, with no access to the drug or to other rats, developed stronger cravings over time and went for the drug as soon as they could.
But here's the magic: when rats abstained voluntarily, meaning they kept choosing the social lever on their own, their cravings didn't grow stronger. And that protection lasted for weeks after the choice was taken away.
Experiment 5: What happens in the brain?
Finally, the scientists looked inside the rats' brains to understand what social choice was doing.
- Rats that chose social interaction showed activity in a specific group of calming (inhibitory) neurons in the amygdala, linked to lower cravings.
- Rats that were forced to stop, with no healthier alternative, showed activity in the brain's stress and craving circuits instead.
What the Rat Park experiments teach us about phone and social media addiction
This research goes beyond rats. It's a reflection of our own lives. The way Instagram, TikTok and YouTube keep us glued to our screens is very similar to how the drug tempted the rats.
These platforms are built to keep us hooked, offering quick rewards that keep us scrolling (= the drug), often at the expense of real-world connection.
1. Social connection is the key
The rats chose connection over drugs when it was easy and immediate. In our lives, we need to prioritize genuine human connection: time with loved ones, calling a friend, meeting someone for coffee.
2. Beware of delayed connection
When the rats pressed the lever to meet another rat but the door didn't open right away, they turned back to the drug.
In our world, long work hours, fragmented relationships and physical distance from our friends make it harder to connect. That delay pushes us toward digital distractions that feel easier than reaching out to someone.
3. Make good rewards simple and accessible
TikTok is popular because it gives instant gratification. To fight this, we need to make offline activities, like hobbies, exercise or creative projects, just as easy and enjoyable to start.
4. Beware of toxic relationships
The rats avoided social interaction when it came with punishment (a small shock) and went back to the drug. Similarly, if our relationships feel draining or toxic, we might turn to addictive habits as an escape. Surround yourself with people who uplift and fulfill you.
5. Choose connection to avoid relapse
Rats that kept choosing social interaction didn't just stop using the drug; they became stronger against relapse. Choosing healthy activities like in-person gatherings or mindfulness practices can help us resist the pull of digital addiction over the long run.
6. Your environment matters
The rats did best when social rewards were within reach. We can create similar spaces by building tech-free zones and environments that promote creativity, movement and connection.
Our relationship with technology
The experiments reveal a simple truth: when given meaningful choices, we often prefer social connection over addiction.
But our modern world makes real human connection harder, and streaming and scrolling easier.
So many of us live in small city apartments. We spend our days in jobs we don't feel passionate about. We're constantly busy and hustling, cut off from the people we miss by physical distance. And it takes time to open up and build close, healthy relationships with new people.
To prove it to you, tell me, which feels easier today?
- Meeting a friend you miss for lunch, OR opening your phone and scrolling?
- Putting on your sports clothes and heading to a tennis or basketball class, OR lying in bed binge-watching Netflix?
- Giving a friend a real hug, OR sending a hug emoji in a chat?
- Buying a plane or train ticket to visit a loved one, OR opening Instagram to check their stories, only to get sucked into endless posts, some of which annoy you and leave you feeling worse?
When the rats had an easy choice between the drug and another rat, they almost always chose the rat.
When given the choice between scrolling on Instagram OR laughing your heart out with a friend you click with, which one will you choose?
I bet it's the friend.
How to use this to overcome digital addiction
- Prioritize social interaction: spend time with loved ones or do shared activities.
- Design rewarding alternatives: make hobbies, exercise and creative pursuits as easy to reach and as gratifying as your devices.
- Restructure your environment: create tech-free zones and spaces that encourage focus and connection.
In the end, the story of the rats reminds us of something simple and profound:
We are wired to connect.
By making connection fulfilling and accessible, we can overcome our modern addictions and lead healthier, more balanced lives, long-term.
Why it's harder for humans than for rats
Being surrounded by a positive social environment helps many people overcome addiction, but there are exceptions. We've all heard of famous people who lost their lives to addiction while surrounded by people. So why did addiction still take hold?
Humans complicate the meaning of social interaction in their minds, tying it to culture, purpose and long-term goals. That makes the rewards of connection feel delayed and less instantly gratifying than they are for a rat, who gets immediate pleasure from being around another rat. It helps explain why overcoming addiction is harder for humans, even with good people around them.
Still, building and surrounding yourself with healthy connections will significantly improve your chances of reclaiming control over your digital habits. If you want help doing that, it's exactly what we work on in our 1-on-1 program.
Source: Venniro et al., “Volitional social interaction prevents drug addiction in rat models,” Nature Neuroscience, 2018.
Frequently asked questions
What was the Rat Park experiment?
Rat Park was a series of experiments by psychologist Bruce Alexander in the late 1970s. Rats living together in a large, enriched enclosure drank much less morphine-laced water than rats kept alone in cages, suggesting environment and connection play a big role in addiction.
Do rats choose social interaction over drugs?
In a 2018 study published in Nature Neuroscience, rats that had learned to take methamphetamine or heroin almost always chose about a minute with another rat over the drug. They went back to the drug only when social access was delayed or punished.
What does Rat Park have to do with social media addiction?
Scrolling works like the easy lever: instant, always available, no effort. When real connection feels harder to reach, the phone wins by default. Making real connection and rewarding offline activities easy to access is one of the most effective ways to scroll less.
Digitally Immune