Methods Of Modifying Addiction (2) - Aversion Therapy Flashcards
Describe aversion theory as a method of modifying (10)
Basis of classical conditioning as addict will associate addiction with an unpleasant stimulus- typically used for alcohol and smoking
P1- Antabuse:
Antabuse affects how the body metabolises alcohol as it causes a reaction which stops the ALDH enzyme working causing it to build up in the bloodstream
This results in unpleasant symptoms like sweating and sickness and occurs within 10 minutes of consuming alcohol
Once association is made they will avoid alcohol and triggers such as the pub
P2- conditioning schedule for Antabuse:
UCS (Antabuse) — UCR (sickness)
NS (alcohol) — no response
UCS + NS —- UCR
CS (alcohol) —- CR (avoidance)
NICE: Antabuse treatment can begin once they’ve undergone withdrawal and start with 200mg daily which can be upped - they’re supervised every 2 weeks for first 2 months
Also need to be careful about about alcohol from other sources eg food or mouthwash
P3 - rapid smoking:
Second, less common form as no medication is needed
Works by smokers sitting in a closed room taking a puff on a cigarette every 6 seconds until they’ve finished the pack or feel to sick to continue
Evaluation of aversion therapy (10)
P1- research support for Antabuse:
S- strength
E- research compared Antabuse to placebos and assessed using self report and screenings for 90 days - results showed increase in abstinence duration compared to controls
E- increased external reliability
C- however in the long term Antabuse tends to lack scientific rigour as it’s difficult to carry out placebo studies
P2- research to support rapid smoking:
S- strength
E- study on 100 smokers compared with a control group who watched a clip of quitting smoking showing a massive decrease in urge to smoke in first 24h and for a week after
E- however in long term the differences were less significant being Antabuse abstinence is unclear
W- however reducing urges in early stages is useful in kickstarting the process then they can employ other techniques
P3- ethics
S- strength
E- although both Antabuse and rapid smoking have side effects such as sickness and dizziness
E- addicts cannot legally be forced to ungerdo aversion therapy so enter voluntarily therefore is a choice and requires free well therefore ethical
C- however the use of Antabuse implants cannot be removed easily therefore raises concerns with right to withdraw
W- is ethical and the short term side effects are deemed reasonable for long term gain of no addiction
