Main components of Therapy

• What are the three key steps in aversion therapy (AT)?

  Medical examination, education, valid consent
• What is the purpose of the medical examination in AT?

  To ensure the client is fit for therapy
• What is the basis of AT?

  Classical conditioning
• How does AT create an association between an aversive stimulus and addictive behavior?

  By pairing an aversive stimulus with the behavior
• What does Antabuse do when consumed with alcohol?

  Stops alcohol breakdown, causing unpleasant symptoms
• What enzyme does Antabuse inhibit?

  Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase
• What symptoms can occur from the buildup of acetaldehyde?

  Headaches, sweating, heart palpitations, vomiting
• How quickly can symptoms occur after consuming alcohol with Antabuse?

  Within 10 minutes
• What is the result of pairing alcohol with negative symptoms in AT?

  The individual avoids drinking alcohol
• What is counter-conditioning in the context of AT?

  Learning an aversion to the addictive stimulus
• What is the unconditioned stimulus (US) in AT for alcohol addiction?

  Antabuse drug
• What is the unconditioned response (UR) associated with the US in AT?

  Feelings of intense nausea and discomfort
• What is the neutral stimulus (NS) in the context of AT?

  A drink of alcohol
• What does the conditioned stimulus (CS) become in AT?

  A drink of alcohol
• What is the conditioned response (CR) in AT?

  Feelings of intense nausea and discomfort
• How does covert sensitization differ from traditional AT?

  It uses suggestion instead of real aversive stimuli
• What is the final step in the AT process?

  Obtaining valid consent from the client
• What must the client demonstrate before proceeding with AT?

  Understanding of the therapy and consent
• When is AT considered complete?

  When classical conditioning has been successful
• What is the goal of counter-conditioning in AT?

  To create an aversion to the addictive stimulus
• What are the three steps of classical conditioning used in AT?

  1. Medical examination and health check
  2. Education about therapy and expectations
  3. Obtaining valid consent from the client
• What is the process of classical conditioning in AT?

  • US (unconditioned stimulus): Antabuse
  • UR (unconditioned response): Nausea and discomfort
  • NS (neutral stimulus): Alcohol
  • CS (conditioned stimulus): Alcohol
  • CR (conditioned response): Nausea and discomfort