Friday, March 15, 2013

Heroin Addiction: Aversion Therapy



The final model of psychological drug rehab treatment to be considered for the treatment of heroin addiction is aversion therapy. Aversion therapy is an effort to apply “punishment” as a means of reducing the frequency of unwanted behavior. This is a misapplication of learning-theory principles which have consistently found that “punishments” do not cause behaviors to disappear, but rather cause them to stop temporarily while preventing their extinction.

Thus, the behavior returns at a later point with considerable intensity. The most famous advocate of aversion therapy is the author William Burroughs whose addiction to heroin was treated with apomorphine in Great Britain. Aversion therapy has not been attempted widely in this country, and there are no data which support the general efficacy of aversion therapy in any of the drug abuse syndromes.
The practice of aversion therapy is fairly straightforward. The patient is exposed to self-administered heroin which is immediately followed by an injection of apomorphine or succinyl choline. If he is given apomorphine, his heroin injection becomes associated with violent retching and vomiting. Because the apomorphine is paired to the heroin injection, the use of heroin is theoretically associated with an unpleasant experience.

The injection of succinyl choline causes an immediate paralysis of all voluntary musculature including the muscles of respiration. The patient experiences a frightening feeling of being unable to breathe which becomes paired with the heroin.


Experimental psychologists have found that the effective way to cause extinction of a behavior is to prevent the reinforcement of that behavior. The use of succinyl choline includes some risk of accidental death as well as extreme unpleasantness. There is no evidence that either of these treatments works better than the other. They have been paired to the sight and use of the needle as well as the heroin injection, but there is no evidence that aversion therapy is valid. In general, there is no indication for the use of aversion therapy in the treatment of the addict, although there is a need for the continued experimental application of learning theory principles to the treatment of heroin addiction and other drug abuse syndromes.

Contact Above It All Treatment Center for the right rug rehab facility for your loved one suffering from addiction.  We will do all it takes to start them on the road to a successful recovery.

28 comments:

  1. I never realized how addicting alcohol can be till I was in college. The pressure to drink and party was unreal. Thankfully I was able to snap out of that before it got too bad. Now I'm on a mission to spread the word that drinking while in college isn't a great idea.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It is very nice collection in addiction recovery treatment. It is very helpful for me as well as others. So thanks for posting this blog.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi..
    Great post I like it...
    If you want to know more about alcohol addiction treatment.
    For more info visit here:- http://hashmihealthcares.com/product/alcohol-treatment/

    ReplyDelete
  4. We all know that it is very difficult to get away from bad addictions. Change is possible with an herbal alcoholism treatment treatment and support.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello...
    Nice post…
    Hashmi Herbal Alcohol Addiction Treatment can solve craving of addictives as a combination of herbs can help a person lead a normal life once again.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I like most your comment. Nowadays alcohol addiction problem is increasing and becoming a big concern. I have an information to treat it as naturally on the link below: http://hashmidawakhana.com/

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nice post!! Alcohol Detox is the best treatment for those people who are addicted to drugs. I had been through in this treatment and Thanks God i was able to make it. So i am clean and sober now. alcohol detox Houston

    ReplyDelete
  8. Most of the time I don’t make comments on websites, but I'd like to say that this article really forced me to do so. Really nice post!
    drug alcohol treatment center

    ReplyDelete
  9. Very nice and helpful information has been given in this article. I like the way you explain the things. Keep posting. Thanks.. prescription drug rehab centers

    ReplyDelete
  10. First of all let me tell you, you have got a great blog .I am interested in looking for more of such topics and would like to have further information. Hope to see the next blog soon.
    drug rehab treatment

    ReplyDelete
  11. A very good and informative article indeed. It helps me a lot to enhance my knowledge, I really like the way the writer presented his views.prescription drug rehab centers

    ReplyDelete
  12. Addiction leads to long and powerful impact on brain which can result in devastating situations.To overcome this situation,first of all person should decide for change and reach out for support.Support from family plays an important role.Person should learn healthy ways to cope with stress and explore different treatment options.
    http://associatesinmedtox.com/services/

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your article has piqued a lot of positive interest. I can see why since you have done such a good job of making it interesting.
    rehab centers

    ReplyDelete
  14. the medical doctors and staffs will evaluate the results of the examinations and then, the patient will be given his designated treatments and medications while inside Drug Rehab Florida. alcohol rehab near you

    ReplyDelete
  15. The Discovery House luxury drug and alcohol treatment center. Located in Southern California. For Immediate Help Call Us 888.387.1467. We also welcome individuals from across the country. Drug treatment

    ReplyDelete
  16. I thought this was appropriate today:
    "Because sometimes we forget that things happen exactly as they are meant to. And the journey is never over. And some of the greatest blessings come from the darkest days. In those times, if we could skip into the future and see there is another side to it all. That we have to push through because it makes us stronger. Makes us ready for the beautiful chapters ahead. " - King Of Stars

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hello...
    its Nice
    alcohol treatment medicine can be solve out through using a combination of medication and therapy which can help a person lead a normal life once again.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Best work you have done, this online website is really cool with great facts.
    drug rehab California 

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is a smart blog. I mean it. You have so much knowledge about this issue, and so much passion. You also know how to make people rally behind it, obviously from the responses.
    Drug Rehab Programs

    ReplyDelete
  20. Opiates are legitimately used for treating pain. When used for pain relief, many people develop tolerance, meaning they need more and more to get the same effect. Some people go on to develop an addiction to opiates. Rehab center Indy
    Rehab center Indianapolis

    ReplyDelete
  21. Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting?I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style. Thanks a million and please keep up the effective work. rehabs

    ReplyDelete
  22. We Glad to read about the blog if you are looking for treatment then visit at inpatient drug rehab san diego

    ReplyDelete
  23. I have seen some great stuff here. Worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to create such a great informative website. Your work is truly appreciated around the clock and the globe. view more

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks for a wonderful share. Your article has proved your hard work and experience you have got in this field. Brilliant .i love it reading. destructeur de diabete type 2 version de luxe

    ReplyDelete
  25. This was really an interesting topic and I kinda agree with what you have mentioned here! drug detox

    ReplyDelete