Development Of Virtual Aversive Environments:a Preliminary Study Of Virtual Covert Sensitization for Alcohol Craving

摘要

Although the harmful effects of excessive alcohol consumption are widely known, cessation of risky drinking is difficult, even for those who have a strong desire to stop drinking. Craving is generally considered to be a major factor related to alcohol use and relapse in addicts. The most powerful predictor of abstinence is the loss of craving or urge to use. Aversive treatments, which are grounded in classical conditioning, aim to eliminate cravings and to induce aversion to abused drugs by repeatedly pairing a maladaptive behavior with unpleasant stimuli such as electric shock or chemicals. Covert sensitization is a verbal aversion procedure that presents aversive stimuli (e.g., embarrassment, physical deterioration, or nausea) through imagery rather than actual overt aversive stimuli.