Aversion therapy. Council on Scientific Affairs
JAMA 258(18): 2562-2566
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0098-7484 PMID: 3312661 Document Number: 288527
The report on aversion therapy by the American Medical Association's (AMA) Council on Scientific Affairs was submitted to the AMA House of Delegates in June 1987 as an informational report and is not intended to serve as a standard of care. It reflects the views of the scientific literature as of February 1987. Aversive techniques designed to reduce dangerous or unwanted behaviors are applied most commonly to obesity, smoking, alcoholism and drug abuse, sexual behavior, and self-injurious and aggressive behavior in the mentally retarded. Specific techniques that have obtained the most positive results in some of these areas are described. The report notes, however, that carefully designed and controlled studies are needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn.