Electroconditioning Therapy of Alcoholics; A Preliminary Report

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Abstract
An electroconditioning treatment of alcoholic patients was developed at the Pontiac State Hospital, Michigan, using 40 volunteers. Each patient was presented with a tray containing 1-oz. plastic cups filled with beer, wine, whisky, milk, water and fruit juice and instructed to drink them one by one in any order. Within 0. 5 to 5 sec. of swallowing each of the alcoholic beverages, the patient received a 30-sec. electric shock (2 to 5 ma.) through a pair of electrodes placed above the ear. The treatment was given daily for 5 days; on the 4th day the patient chose 5 of the 6 drinks and on the 5th, 4 of the 6. On the 6th day the patient was released from the hospital and advised to return in 4 weeks for a 2-day reinforcement session and again in 6 months. Of the 40, 24 completed the initial sessions, and 16 both the initial and the 1st reinforcement. All the patients described the electrical stimulus as unpleasant and exhibited varying degrees of anxiety during the treatment. Many reported a feeling of revulsion toward alcoholic beverages following the treatment. No physical or psychic complications were observed. Five case histories are given. Electroconditioning is seen as a valuable addition to the other treatment measures used at the hospital. The alcoholic''s usual drinking pattern proceeds in the sequence drinking-satisfaction-punishment; but the satisfaction is immediate, the punishment delayed and therefore not associated with the drinking. Under conditioning, no reward but pain follows the drinking, giving the alcoholic a new learning experience.

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