Aversion Therapy

Learn more about aversion therapy and how it can address and help patients gain control of negative behaviors.

By Joshua Napilay on Jun 16, 2025.

Fact Checked by RJ Gumban.

What is aversion therapy?

Aversion therapy is a behavioral therapy that aims to decrease or eliminate unwanted lifestyle behaviors (undesirable behavior) by associating them with unpleasant or aversive stimuli.

Aversion therapy involves the principles of classical conditioning, where a neutral stimulus is paired with an unpleasant stimulus to create a conditioned aversion or negative response toward the target behavior.

Aversive conditioning is a broader technique that encompasses methods like emetic therapy, where nausea-inducing substances are used to deter harmful behaviors, or electrical aversion therapy, which involves delivering mild electric shocks as a deterrent.

This method has been used to treat various addictive behaviors, including substance use disorders, compulsive behaviors, and paraphilias. It is also sometimes used for weight loss and smoking cessation. Aversion therapy aims to create a strong association between undesirable behavior and negative consequences.

While controversial, some may even turn to more extreme forms of treatment or lifestyle treatments such as conversion therapy, though this has been widely criticized for ethical and effective reasons.

When is aversion therapy used?

Aversion therapy is often used to treat addictions, compulsive behaviors, and paraphilias. It can also be used for the following:

Substance abuse and addiction

By pairing the substance with an unpleasant stimulus, such as a mild electric shock or nausea-inducing medication, aversion therapy has been utilized to treat addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Phobias and anxiety disorders

Aversion therapy may treat phobias and anxiety disorders by exposing the patient to the feared object or situation while simultaneously administering an aversive stimulus, such as a sudden blast of cold air or a loud noise.

Sexual disorders

Aversion therapy has been applied to treating sexual disorders, including pedophilia or exhibitionism, by associating inappropriate behavior with unpleasant stimuli, such as electric shocks or unpleasant odors.

Eating disorders

To manage eating disorders, such as binge eating, aversion therapy may be utilized by pairing overeating with unpleasant stimuli, such as loud noises or unpleasant tastes.

Self-injurious behaviors

In treating self-injurious behavior, such as cutting or hair-pulling, aversion therapy has been employed to associate the behavior with aversive stimuli like noxious odors or mild electric shocks.

Benefits of aversion therapy

Aversion therapy has been used to successfully treat a variety of behaviors, including addictions, phobias, and compulsions.

It can be especially effective in cases of alcohol dependence where other treatments have been unsuccessful. Here are some of the potential benefits of utilizing aversion therapy:

Reduces unwanted behaviors

Aversion therapy helps to create a negative association that motivates patients to stop engaging in these behaviors.

Aids in addiction treatment

This method has shown promise in addiction treatment by using unpleasant stimuli to create a negative association with addictive substances or behaviors.

Supports other forms of treatments

Aversion therapy can support other forms of treatment, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or medication. It can help with behavioral interventions and enhance their effectiveness by creating a negative association with the target behavior and aiding in integrating new behaviors or habits.

Helps create personalized plans

By identifying unwanted behaviors or substance and alcohol use disorder triggers, therapists can design a personalized treatment program to address those triggers and promote healthier coping mechanisms.

Concerns about aversion therapy

While aversion therapy has been used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, it has also faced criticism, including the following concerns:

Ethical concerns

One of the significant criticisms of aversion therapy is that it can be unethical. It is deemed that using punishment as a treatment method may be cruel and degrading and can lead to psychological harm to the patient.

Limited efficacy

Another criticism of aversion therapy is that its effectiveness is limited. While it can effectively reduce certain behaviors, other research has suggested that its benefits may be short-lived or insignificant (Sangu, 2017).

Lack of generalizability

It may not be generalizable to many lifestyle behaviors and real-life situations. For example, a person undergoing aversion therapy to quit smoking may still crave cigarettes when the aversive stimuli are absent.

Additionally, the therapy may not be effective in addressing complex behavioral issues that require a more nuanced approach.

Potential for abuse

This approach may be used as a form of punishment or coercion rather than a legitimate treatment. This may be especially true in cases where the therapy is used without the patient's informed consent or adequate monitoring by a trained professional.

Key takeaways

Different aversion therapy techniques can be employed for various behavioral issues. Some techniques involve using drugs, including disulfiram or naltrexone, to discourage substance abuse.

Other methods include pairing an unpleasant stimulus with behavior, like electric shocks, to discourage smoking or viewing graphic images of tobacco-related illnesses.

It's important to note that this type of aversion therapy work is not for everyone and should be used with caution. It's also important to understand that its efficacy heavily depends on the individual, their behavior, and their willingness to change.

Reference

Sangu, M. (2017). Electrical aversion therapy. In Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology. Elsevier Reference Collection. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809324-5.05304-9

‍

Commonly asked questions

Aversion therapy is behavior therapy typically used by mental health professionals such as psychologists, psychiatrists, or social workers to treat unwanted or maladaptive behaviors. It is most commonly used for addiction, phobias, and compulsions but can also help treat other mental health disorders.

A significant concern with aversion therapy is the potential for ethical violations, as it involves using punishment or coercion to modify behavior. Additionally, its long-term efficacy is still uncertain, and there is a potential for abuse if it is used without proper oversight.

‍

Aversion Therapy can be used with both teens and adults with mental illness. However, it is essential to note that it may not be appropriate for everyone, as it can be an intense and potentially traumatic experience.

‍