Standard life reinforcers (SLRs) have been defined as “a basic set of rewarding circumstances or experiences that persons … strive for” (Spillane & Smith, 2007 p. 405). They include housing, economic security, work opportunity, knowledge, and relationships. Spillane and Smith’s (2007) theory of how SLRs influence risk for alcoholism involves an adaptation of the behavioral choice theory (Rachlin, Logue, Gibbon, & Frankel, 1986; Vuchinich & Tucker, 1988). According to behavioral choice theory, the behavior one engages in should be understood as representing a choice among a range of possible alternative behaviors (Rachlin, Logue, Gibbon, & Frankel, 1986). One chooses a particular behavior, and the reinforcement associated with that behavior, because other reinforcers are more costly, less accessible, or unavailable. From this perspective, the choice to consume alcohol will vary as a function of (a) the constraints that are placed on access to alcohol and (b) access to and costs of alternative reinforcers (Vuchinich & Tucker, 1988). Because constraints on access to alcohol in the United States are relatively minor for adults, the availability of alternative reinforcers is thought to be
