Reducing Addiction - Behavioural Interventions; Aversion therapy and covert sensitisation

Question 1

What are the three ways to reduce addiction?

Answer 1

Drug therapy
Behavioural interventions - aversion therapy and covert sensitisation
CBT

Question 2

What is meant by behavioural interventions? (1)

Answer 2

• behavioural interventions include aversion therapy and covert sensitisation
• they both use principles of c.c to aim to replace ass of add substance/ bhv of pleasure with an unpleasant ass

Question 3

What is the aim of aversion therapy?

Answer 3

• use principles of c.c to aim to replace ass of add substance/ bhv of pleasure with an unpleasant ass in a VIVO experience

Question 4

How does aversion therapy work for a nicotine addiction?

Answer 4

• works by using a technique called rapid smoking (UCS) which includes indv taking a puff of a cig (NS) every 6 seconds
• this causes them to feel nauseous (CR) which they then ass with smoking so cig becomes CS
• this is repeated until indv develops an aversion to smoking, therefore reducing add

Question 5

How does aversion therapy work for a gambling addiction?

Answer 5

• addicted gambler thinks of phrases ass with gambling and writes them down on cards e.g. lottery
• they are then asked to read cards aloud along with non - gambling bhvs on some cards
• when they get to a gambling ass card, theyre given a 2 second electric shock
• ppt should then ass gambling with painful shock rather than pleasure, reducing and averting indv from gambling add

Question 6

What is the aim of covert sensitisation?

Answer 6

pleasurable ass with add substance/bhv is broken down/unlearnt and replaced with an unpleasant ass and VITRO experience

Question 7

How does covert sensitisation work for a nicotine addiction?

Answer 7

• client is encouraged to relax
• therapist then asks client to imagine the most unpleasant aversive situation after smoking cig e.g. throwing up
• therapist will go into graphic detail about elements of the scene e.g. smell/sound. as the more vivid the imaginary scene is, the more effective treatment works
• at the end, client imagines stopping nic add resulting in feelings of relief
• ppt should then ass add with unpleasant situation rather than pleasure, reducing add

Question 8

How does covert sensitisation work for a gambling addiction?

Answer 8

• client is encouraged to relax
• therapist then asks client to imagine the most unpleasant aversive situation after gambling e.g. losing house due to financial loss then losing wife and kids
• therapist will go into graphic detail about elements of the scene e.g. smell/sound. as the more vivid the imaginary scene is, the more effective treatment works
• at the end, client imagines stopping gambling add resulting in feelings of relief
• ppt should then ass add with unpleasant situation rather than pleasure, reducing add

Question 9

What are the three AO3 PEELS to evaluate behavioural interventions as a way of reducing addictions?

Answer 9

RTS - aversion therapy vs covert sensitisation
Weakness - aversion therapy ethical issues
Weakness - both require motivation and commitment