MAIN COMP AVERSION THERAPY

• Aversion therapy

  Aims to break down faulty maladaptive learning and help the person re-learn a more functional response
• Aversion therapy

  Designed to cause individuals to develop an intense dislike or feeling of disgust - an aversion - to the behaviour they are addicted to
• Aversion therapy

  1. Uses the principles of classical conditioning

  2. Breaks down the faulty association gradually and systematically

  3. Replaces it with a more functional response (aversion)
• Counterconditioning


  break down the faulty association gradually and systematically (i.e., pleasure) and replace it with a more functional response (i.e., aversion).
• Steps of aversion therapy

  1. Medical examination and health check

  2. Therapist educates client on how therapy works and what to expect

  3. Therapist obtains consent from client to proceed
• Aversive stimulus


  Something very unpleasant such as an electric shock or a drug that has a disgusting taste and/or unpleasant sickness-inducing side effects
• Aversion therapy example


  • Use of Antabuse drug in treatment of alcohol addiction
• How Antabuse works


  1. Stops the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase from breaking down alcohol

  2. Causes a build-up of acetaldehyde in the body

  3. Leads to unpleasant symptoms like sweating, headaches, heart palpitations and vomiting
• Covert sensitisation


  Aversive stimulus is delivered by suggestion rather than experience
• Covert sensitisation

  1. Client imagines frightening situations when drinking

  2. Therapist encourages progressively worse scenarios

  3. Employs principles of systematic desensitisation
• Final step of aversion therapy

  1. Therapist obtains valid consent from client

  2. Client demonstrates understanding and consent
• Aversion therapy complete

  Classical conditioning process is successful and client has an intense feeling of disgust for the addicted stimulus