Addiction (Aversion Therapy) Flashcards
What is the principle of classical conditioning in addiction treatment?
An addict learns to associate the substance they are addicted to with an unpleasant stimulus leading to an unpleasant response rather than pleasure.
How does classical conditioning aim to stop addiction?
By making the addict no longer derive pleasure from the substance or behavior.
Which addictions can classical conditioning be used for?
It could theoretically be used for any addiction but it is mainly used for alcohol and sometimes smoking.
Has classical conditioning been used for other purposes such as curing homosexuality?
Yes
What is Antabuse used for?
Antabuse is used as an aversive stimulus in the treatment of alcohol addiction.
How does Antabuse work?
Antabuse affects how the body metabolizes alcohol causing a disulfiram reaction that leads to unpleasant symptoms (e.g.
How quickly do the unpleasant symptoms occur after taking Antabuse?
The symptoms can occur within 10 minutes and can last for several hours
What is the goal of Antabuse treatment?
The goal is to help the person associate alcohol with unpleasant reactions leading them to avoid the behavior and triggers.
How is Antabuse administered?
Antabuse is usually given in a dose of 200mg daily but can be increased. It can also be administered through implants.
Are there ethical issues with using Antabuse?
Yes, there are ethical issues
What is rapid smoking?
Rapid smoking is a method where a smoker associates smoking with an unpleasant feeling by puffing a cigarette every 6 seconds until they feel sick.
Is additional medication required for rapid smoking?
No the smoking itself becomes the unpleasant stimulus in rapid smoking therapy.
When was rapid smoking popular and is it still used?
Rapid smoking was popular in the 1970s but is no longer commonly used today.
What did Niederhofer and Staffen (2003) find about Antabuse?
They found that patients on Antabuse had significantly greater abstinence duration compared to placebo users.
What did Jorgensen et al. (2011) find about Antabuse?
They found that those treated with Antabuse had fewer drinking days and longer periods until relapse.
What is an issue with using aversion therapy?
Addicts cannot be legally forced to undergo aversion therapy raising concerns about free will.
How could aversion therapy benefit the economy?
It may be better for the economy by reducing the costs of smoking and drinking-related illnesses.
What did Devlin (2008) find about spending on Antabuse?
Devlin found a dramatic increase in spending on Antabuse and other alcohol treatment drugs.
What did Alcohol Concern report about spending on Antabuse?
They reported that spending on Antabuse was a small amount compared to the money spent on treating alcoholism on the NHS.
What was the outcome of the commercial smoking cessation program at Schick Shadel Hospital?
The program showed promising results with 52% of smokers remaining abstinent from cigarettes one year after the program.
How does the Schick Shadel Hospital smoking cessation program work?
It involves pairing electric shocks with each step of the smoking process such as lighting a cigarette and puffing.
What are the results of the Schick Shadel Hospital smoking cessation program?
52% of smokers achieved total abstinence from cigarettes one year after the program.
Can rapid smoking be effective as the sole treatment for smoking?
No, rapid smoking is not that effective as the sole treatment
What is a limitation of Antabuse in stressful situations?
People may stop taking Antabuse during stressful situations increasing their susceptibility to relapse.
What did O’Farrell and Bayog (1986) develop in relation to Antabuse?
They developed the Antabuse Contract procedures where spouses help ensure addicts take Antabuse daily.
What did O’Farrell et al. (1998) find about Antabuse contracts? |
They found that outcomes for alcoholics were much improved when Antabuse contracts were implemented.
Why is research into rapid smoking limited today? |
Rapid smoking is no longer a popular treatment so research is outdated or unavailable.
What did Hajek and Stead (2004) conclude about rapid smoking? |
They argued that rapid smoking is an unproven method of addiction treatment.
What did McRobbie (2007) find in their study of rapid smoking? |
They found that rapid smoking led to a decrease in smoking urges in the short term but the effect was not sustained in the long term.
How does the social environment affect smoking cessation? |
Studies showed that smokers returning to a non-smoking home had higher success rates suggesting that the social environment plays a big role in treatment success.
What is a limitation of studies on rapid smoking and aversion therapy? |
Many studies use small or biased samples which limits their generalizability and reliability.
What are potential side effects of taking Antabuse? |
Side effects include nausea vomiting
What is a concern about the side effects of rapid smoking? |
Rapid smoking can be very unpleasant and may cause long-term health problems.
What is the NHS cost of smoking-related illnesses?
The NHS spends between £3-£6 billion annually on smoking-related illnesses.
What are the social benefits of reduced alcohol and smoking rates?
Reduced alcoholism can lead to fewer family issues and other social benefits.
What is a limitation of aversion therapy for addiction?
Aversion therapy does not address the root causes of addiction such as psychological or social factors.
