A Versatile Approach to Behavior Change: Aversion Therapy
Treatment method aimed at reducing undesirable behaviors or feelings: Intended goal, instances, and debates
Aversion therapy (AT) is all about connecting an undesirable action or habit with an unpleasant experience, aiming to discourage that action or habit. Known by other names like "aversive conditioning" or "deterrent therapy", it's a technique typically employed to tackle issues related to addiction, such as smoking or alcohol use disorder (AUD).
However, it's essential to note that AT is less common than other treatments for substance use disorders. Its reputation has been somewhat tarnished due to historical controversies and questions about its long-term effectiveness.
What's the deal with aversion therapy?
AT operates under the idea that repeatedly linking an undesirable behavior with an unpleasant sensation can build an aversion to that behavior.
What behaviors can aversion therapy address?
AT could potentially assist in managing a variety of unwanted behaviors, including:
- biting nails
- smoking tobacco
- AUD, involving alcohol misuse and alcohol addiction
- problem gambling
A Few Examples of Aversion Therapy
Let's dive into some examples to better grasp the concept:
Emetic Counterconditioning
Emetic counterconditioning (ECC) is a type of AT that targets alcohol cravings in people with AUD. During multiple sessions, a person takes a medication to induce nausea and vomiting. They then taste and consume different alcoholic beverages, eventually learning to associate drinking alcohol with the feeling of nausea or being sick.
Shocking Labels
Graphic warning labels on cigarette packages in 118 countries serve as a form of AT. These labels feature images of the potential negative health outcomes of smoking, such as devastated lungs and cancerous growths, intentionally pairing smoking with disturbing imagery.
Fast-paced Smoking
Rapid smoking involves inhaling a cigarette every few seconds, inducing discomfort that lessens a person's interest in smoking. This method is used to reduce nicotine dependence, although research suggests it may not be an effective long-term solution for quitting smoking.
Snap Back Therapy
Rubber band aversion therapy (RBAT) is a technique utilized in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In RBAT, a person wears a rubber band around their wrist and snaps it whenever they have an obsessive thought. The goal is to connect obsessive thoughts with physical pain, with the hope that the person will experience fewer obsessive thoughts over time. However, research indicates that RBAT isn't an effective OCD treatment.
Does aversion therapy work?
Short-term results
Research suggests that aversion therapy can reduce addictive behaviors temporarily. In a small study, participants who underwent emetic counterconditioning reported an aversion or avoidance of alcohol at 30 and 90 days following treatment, with 69% of participants still sober after 12 months. Brain scans showed significant reductions in craving-related brain activity, leading researchers to believe that ECC could be an effective treatment for AUD. However, it's unclear whether these effects are long-lasting.
Long-term success rates
The long-term success of aversion therapy is less certain. For instance, research indicates that aversion therapy may be less effective in dealing with nicotine addiction or overeating in the long term.
Controversy surrounding aversion therapy
Some mental health professionals view AT as ethically questionable because it employs punishment as a therapeutic tool. AT has a long and contentious history, particularly when it comes to conversion therapy, which aimed to "treat" homosexuality. Some people were forced into this treatment, while others willingly participated due to shame, guilt, or social discrimination. Today, some mental health practitioners continue to engage in conversion therapy, leading to calls for a ban on the practice.
The use of aversion therapy as a treatment for addiction-related behaviors also faces controversy, as it could potentially cause psychological or physical discomfort.
FAQs
The effectiveness of aversion therapy varies based on the condition being treated. While there are no reliable long-term success rates available, a review from 2016 reveals that aversion therapy does not seem to be an effective long-term treatment for nicotine addiction or overeating.
The side effects of aversion therapy depend on the specific type of therapy. Potential side effects include pain or discomfort, nausea and vomiting (in the case of emetic counterconditioning), and fear or anxiety as a person learns to anticipate the negative stimulus.
Summary
Aversion therapy seeks to create an aversion to undesirable behaviors by repeatedly pairing them with unpleasant experiences. Examples of aversion therapy include emetic counterconditioning, graphic warning labels on cigarette packages, rapid smoking, and rubber band aversion therapy.
Research suggests that aversion therapy can yield temporary reductions in addictive behaviors, such as alcohol use disorder, but its long-term effectiveness is uncertain. Its ethical status is debated, as some mental health professionals view it as ineffective and unethical due to its potential to cause discomfort or emotional distress.
- The technique of aversion therapy connects an undesirable action or habit with an unpleasant experience to discourage the action, often used for addiction issues like alcohol use disorder (AUD).
- Aversion therapy operates under the principle that repeatedly linking an undesirable behavior with an unpleasant sensation can build an aversion to that behavior.
- Emetic counterconditioning is a form of aversion therapy that targets alcohol cravings in people with AUD, using nausea-inducing medication during sessions where they consume alcohol.
- Graphic warning labels on cigarette packages in 118 countries use disturbing imagery to pair smoking with potential negative health outcomes, serving as a form of aversion therapy.
- Rapid smoking involves inhaling a cigarette every few seconds to reduce nicotine dependence but research suggests it may not be an effective long-term solution for quitting smoking.
- The ethical status of aversion therapy is debated, as it employs punishment as a therapeutic tool and could potentially cause discomfort or emotional distress.
- In 2022, mental health practitioners should be aware of the varied results, side effects, and ethical implications of using aversion therapy as a treatment for addiction-related behaviors or disorders, and consider alternative therapies and treatments in the field of health-and-wellness and mental-health, such as psychotherapy and alternative medicine.
