addictive - modifying: aversion: ethical

Question 1

risk of harm

Answer 1

P: risk of harm caused by aversive stimuli = unethical
E: Bancroft found that 50% of patients either refused or dropped out of aversion therapy. Symptoms such as vomiting from antabuse and health complications from rapid smoking may account for this high dropout rate as the aversive stimuli may be too unpleasant to handle,
T: Therefore this is a weakness as the emotional and psychological harm experienced may be all too distressing for patients and lead to the reluctance to engage in therapy that Bancroft highlights due to the side effects. Moreover, when they drop out they could feel even more helpless that they will ever be able to change and get rid of their addiction, lowering their self-esteem and making them feel worse about themselves.
C: However, the patients do go through health checks before the therapy begins and are educated and then demonstrate what they have learnt to the therapist in order to start aversion therapy. Therefore the patients should in theory, be prepared for these negative side effects and know that it’s for their own good.

Question 2

covert sensitisation

Answer 2

P: There are other alternatives of aversion therapy that are less harmful = ethical
E; Tom Kraft presented a series of case studies highlighting the success of covert sensitisation (an approach that uses images of unpleasant stimuli rather than the direct physical stimuli). This suggests that aversion therapy doesn’t have to be as invasive and can still be effective/
T: Therefore this is a strength because it suggests the principles of aversion therapy are adaptable enough that ethical alternatives can be developed that are still effective and avoid the psychological and physical risk of harm whilst also working to change behaviour.
C: However, covert sensitization may not be a robust option for all individuals as critics suggest it may require more intense treatment to see results which is time consuming and not a viable option for those without proper time and resources for multiple sessions.

Question 3

valid consent

Answer 3

P: issues with informed consent as addicts may be pressured into aversion therapy and not fully understand the risks of it = unethical
E: Billy Clegg who was treated with apomorphine in aversion therapy to “cure” his homosexuality led to him dying in a coma from convulsions. Societal pressures in 1958 USA of people being less accepting of homosexuals may have resulted in him being coerced into doing aversion therapy feeling like he deserved it.
T: Therefore, this is a weakness because of the negative stigmas that society has surrounding individuals with mental disorders like addiction could resulting in violating their autonomy through pressuring individuals into having aversion therapy and suffering the intense and potentially very dangerous side effects of aversive stimulus (that in extreme cases like Billy Clegg could get them killed).
C: However times have changed and so has stigmas. Homosexuality now isn’t viewed as a mental illness