Partial Failure of Generalization in Alcoholics Following Aversion Therapy

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Abstract
Following aversion therapy at the Purdysburn Hospital, Belfast, N. [Northern] Ireland, during which they were given whisky, 10 alcoholics developed an aversion to whisky but not to other forms of alcohol. All but 1 had drunk whisky as their drink of preference before aversion therapy. Eight of the patients received a 72-hour course of 36 injections of apomorphine, followed by whisky, to produce nausea and vomiting; 1 patient withdrew from a similar course after 24 hr; and 1 patient received aversion therapy using succinylcholine. Three patients were showing improvement in social and marital relations, and were now drinking stout or beer not to excess. Seven were classified as not improved: 2 were drinking gin to excess; 1, rum; 1, wine; 2, beer or stout; and 1, beer and wine. The periods during which they had avoided whisky following therapy ranged from 11 days to 17 years, and for over 1 year in 8. The aversion appeared to occur to the sight, smell and taste of whisky and not to its sedative effect or to the conceptual idea of alcohol. It is suggested that the results underline the importance of using many forms of alcohol in each patient during aversion therapy.

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