Main components

• • Counterconditioning
  • covert sensitisation
  • use of adversity stimuli
• counterconditioning= repeatedly pairing aversive stimulus with the undesirable behaviour
• client now associates their undesirable behaviour with a new negative response
• covert sensitisation= client uses their imagination rather than being exposed directly to aversive stimuli
• clients may often be asked to imagine scenarios that get progressively worse
• eg. being sick, being sick on someone, falling and hurting themselves
• a newer development for alcohol addiction is a drug called Antabuse
• this causes unpleasant symptoms eg. nausea within 10 mins of drinking alcohol
• once a new conditioned association has been made the person will try to avoid such behaviour
• they may also avoid triggers such as pubs
• rapid smoking = smoker takes a puff every 6 seconds until they feel sick
• rapid smoking takes place over several sessions o create the association
• electric shock is used to treat behavioural addicts eg. gambling
• the person takes part in the activity or watches a video of it while receiving painful electric shocks