Interventions for Addiction

- Uses principles of classic conditioning 

- Patient is given the addictive stimulus (alcohol, drugs etc) at the same time as an unpleasant stimulus (ematic drug, electric shock etc).

- This creates a negative association between the substance and the feeling

- When the patient reaches for the addictive stimulus again, they will associate it with the negative feeling. 

STRENGTH

- can be seen as effective, 69% of patients sober after alcohol aversion therapy 

LIMITATION

- unethical, seen as giving a punishment for their mental health problem, limits who can use it (children, pregnant women) 

- doesn't solve genetic theory of addiction

- association can wear off, no long term effects