Electrical aversion therapy with alcoholics: a comparative follow-up study

A group of alcoholics treated by partially reinforced electrical escape conditioning were found to have a significantly better outcome on follow-up than a selected control group, who showed a parallel level of motivation, and were treated by conventional methods. No sex differences in outcome were found for either group. In the experimental group, better prognosis was associated with higher social class and older age, and poorer prognosis with single marital status. There were no variations in outcome for age in the control group. In the age range 20-40 aversion therapy showed no better results than conventional therapies, but with subjects above this age range it was very significantly superior. The results are discussed with reference to the application of aversion therapy to alcoholism.