AO1

• What is Aversion Therapy based on?

  The principles of Classical Conditioning.
• Though Classical Conditioning…

  An addict will learn to associate the addictive substance/ behaviour with an unpleasant stimulus.
• What will happen over time?

  What they were addicted to will illicit an unpleasant response, rather than the pleasure that they previously experienced.
• What should this do?

  This should in theory, stop the addiction as the addict is no longer receiving pleasure from that experience.
• What is the aim of aversion therapy?

  To help the learner associate the addictive behaviour (CS) with an unpleasant effect (CR). Therefore leading to avoidance.
• What is used to treat alcohol addiction?

  Antabuse.
• How does Antabuse work?

  By affecting the body’s ability to metabolise alcohol
• What reaction does Antabuse cause?

  Disulfiram Reaction
• What does this reaction cause?

  A build up of acetaldehyde (the compound that normally breaks down alcohol) in the bloodstream.
• What symptoms does this build up cause?

  Sweating, Heart palpitations, headaches and vomiting.
• When does this reaction occur?

  10 minutes after drinking alcohol.
• How long can this last?

  A few hours.
• When will the addict start to avoid drinking?

  After association between feeling ill and drinking is made.
• What should the addict also avoid?

  Triggers associated with the addiction such as pubs or other social situations where drinking is involved.
• When should an alcoholic start taking Antabuse?

  After withdrawal.
• Who stated this?

  NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellenc)
• What is the minimum daily dose given?

  200mg- but can be increased if alcohol is not aversive enough.
• How often should an individual remain under supervision?

  Every 2 weeks after the first 2 months, then monthly for 4 months following that.
• Why do those taking medication need to be careful?

  They need to be weary when consuming other substances containing alcohol such as mouthwash to avoid the unpleasant response
• How do smokers use aversion therapy to get rid of their addiction?

  Rapid smoking.
• What occurs during Rapid Smoking?

  A smoker will be in a closed room and take a puff of a cigarette every 6 seconds- this can be for a specific set of time or until the individual begins to feel sick.
• What will the smoker learn during rapid smoking?

  To associate smoking with an unpleasant feeling- nausea- and so will no longer want to smoke. The smoking itself becomes the unpleasant stimuli.
• What does UCS stand for in rapid smoking?

  Unconditioned Stimulus
• What does UCR stand for in rapid smoking?

  Unconditioned Response
• What is the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) in rapid smoking?

  Rapid smoking
• What is the unconditioned response (UCR) in rapid smoking?

  Feeling sick
• How does normal smoking relate to rapid smoking in the second point?

  Normal smoking is a neutral stimulus paired with UCS
• What is the neutral stimulus (NS) in the second point?

  Normal smoking
• What is the conditioned stimulus (CS) in the third point?

  Normal (casual) smoking
• What is the conditioned response (CR) in the third point?


  Feeling sick
• What are the relationships between UCS, UCR, CS, and CR in the context of smoking?

  • UCS: Rapid smoking
  • UCR: Feeling sick
  • NS: Normal smoking (paired with UCS)
  • CS: Normal (casual) smoking
  • CR: Feeling sick (after conditioning)