One method of modifying addictive behaviours is aversion therapy, which is based on classical conditioning. It pairs an addictive behaviour with an unpleasant stimulus to create a negative association. for example, Antabuse is used to treat alcohol addiction. When someone drinks alcohol after taking antabuse, they experience unpleasant symptoms such as vomiting, headaches, and heart palpitations. This happens because Antabuse prevents the body from properly breaking down alcohol, leading to a buildup of toxins. Over time, the individual learns to associate alcohol with feeling sick, rather than pleasure. This helps reduce the desire to drink. According to NICE guidelines, the treatment should be supervised and continued for several months to be effective.
