Pharmacological aversive counterconditioning to alcohol in a private hospital; one-year follow-up.

Abstract

In 1970, Raleigh Hills (Portland, Oregon, USA) treated 261 first admissions for alcoholism (53 women) by aversion therapy, pairing emetine with alcohol. The procedure is described. The mean age of the patients was 48.5, and mean years of education, 13.8; 92% were employed, 31% at a professional or managerial level; and 73% were married. The patients were encouraged to maintain contact with the hospital after discharge and return for reconditioning sessions or just to stay overnight if they felt the urge to drink. During the year following treatment 63% of the 261 patients remained abstinent; 43% of these returned to the hospital throughout the year for the 6 recommended reconditioning sessions. Of those who severed contact with the hospital 27% did so in the first 3 mo., the majority in 6 mo.