Treatment method aiming at reducing or eliminating unwanted behaviors through causing discomfort or negative reactions: Usage cases, instances, and debates
Aversion Therapy, also known as aversive conditioning or deterrent therapy, is a technique aimed at reducing unwanted behaviors by linking them to undesirable or unpleasant experiences. It's most commonly used as a treatment for behaviors related to addiction, such as smoking or alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, it's less common than other treatments for substance use disorders.
This method has been around for a while and remains contentious among mental health professionals. Some consider it unethical due to its punitive nature. Aversion therapy has a dubious past, with the notorious practice of conversion therapy being a form of aversion therapy used to "treat" homosexuality until it was declassified as a mental health disorder.
The Goal of Aversion Therapy
Aversion therapy works by consistently pairing an undesirable behavior with an unpleasant experience, creating an aversion to that behavior. Examples of behaviors that might benefit from aversion therapy include nail biting, tobacco smoking, gambling addiction, and AUD.
Examples of Aversion Therapy
- Emetic counter conditioning is a type of aversion therapy used to reduce alcohol cravings in people with AUD. During multiple sessions, a person takes a medication to induce nausea and vomiting, followed by tasting and swallowing a variety of alcoholic beverages. The goal is to associate drinking alcohol with the unpleasant feeling of nausea or being sick.
- Graphic warning labels on cigarette packages, mandatory in 118 countries, display images of potential health consequences like diseased lungs and cancerous tumors. These labels function as a type of aversion therapy by linking smoking with the unpleasant experience of observing disturbing or upsetting images.
- Rapid smoking, puffing on a cigarette every few seconds, triggers unpleasant sensations designed to reduce nicotine dependence. However, research indicates that rapid smoking is not an effective long-term treatment for quitting smoking[6].
- Rubber band aversion therapy (RBAT), used for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), involves wearing a rubber band and snapping it every time an obsessive thought occurs. The idea is to associate obsessive thoughts with physical pain, leading to fewer obsessive thoughts. Yet, a review revealed that RBAT is not an effective therapy for OCD[7].
Does Aversion Therapy Work?
Studies suggest that aversion therapy can lessen addictive behaviors in the short term. A small 2017 study demonstrated that emetic counter conditioning (ECC) may help treat AUD, with participants reporting alcohol aversion or avoidance at 30 and 90 days after treatment, and 69% of participants staying sober for a year[1]. Brain scans revealed significant reductions in craving-related brain activity.
However, research into the effectiveness of aversion therapy for other addiction-related behaviors, such as smoking, overeating, and obesity, is limited[4]. More studies are needed to ensure the long-term effectiveness of aversion therapy.
Why is Aversion Therapy Controversial?
Some mental health experts consider aversion therapy unethical due to its use of punishment as therapy[8]. The continued use of aversion therapy as a treatment for addiction-related behaviors is also controversial.
More information on the current status and effectiveness of aversion therapy for addiction can be found elsewhere. It's essential to remember that every individual is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Seeking help from qualified mental health professionals is crucial when dealing with addiction or other mental health concerns.
- Aversion Therapy, an age-old technique, aims to reduce unwanted behaviors by linking them to unpleasant experiences such as smoking, alcohol use disorder (AUD), nail biting, gambling addiction, and more.
- Emetic counter conditioning, a type of aversion therapy, is used to help people with AUD develop an aversion to alcohol, by making them sick after consuming it.
- Graphic warning labels on cigarette packages, mandatory in 118 countries, serve as a form of aversion therapy, linking smoking with potential health disasters like lung disease and cancer.
- Rapid smoking, a method used to triggers unpleasant sensations and reduce nicotine dependence, is not an effective long-term treatment for quitting smoking, according to research.
- Rubber band aversion therapy (RBAT) is employed for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), but a review found that it is not an effective therapy for OCD in the long run.
- Research shows that aversion therapy can lessen addictive behaviors in the short term, but more studies are needed to confirm the long-term effectiveness of the treatment.
- Mental health experts debate the use of aversion therapy due to its employ of punishment, and the continued use of the therapy as a treatment for addiction-related behaviors remains contentious. Despite the controversies, seeking guidance from qualified mental health professionals is crucial when dealing with addiction or mental health concerns.
