A health care provider prescribes disulfiram (Antabuse) for a client with alcoholism. The drug causes severe vomiting if a person drinks alcohol while taking the drug. Why might this treatment be effective in preventing alcohol use even after the client stops taking the drug?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Disulfiram (Antabuse) works by causing an aversive reaction (e.g., severe vomiting) when alcohol is consumed. This creates a classical conditioning scenario where the client learns to associate the act of drinking alcohol with the unpleasant experience of vomiting, which can deter them from drinking alcohol even after they stop taking the medication.

A Health Care Provider Prescribes Disulfiram (Antabuse) for a Client