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Extinction of Craving During Exposure to Drug-related Cues: Three Single Case Reports

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 June 2009

Brendan P. Bradley  and
Stirling Moorey
Brendan P. Bradley
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
Stirling Moorey
Affiliation:
Maudsley Hospital, London
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Extract

Two opiate abusers and a solvent abuser were exposed to drug-related cues. Self-rated craving showed habituation within all sessions, although there was considerable variability between subjects in the time-course. Habituation between sessions also occurred, although this was less consistent. The level of craving was reduced in one case by a distraction procedure. Cognitive factors were investigated. For one subject anticipation of the stimulus led to high craving while for all three subjects drug-related imagery was associated with high levels of craving. Dysphoric mood states led to a re-emergence of craving (dishabituation) in two cases. One subject showed objective signs, and reported symptoms of opiate withdrawal during the exposure sessions. He had also shown needle-freak behaviour where the syringe and needle produced drugagonistic effects (pleasant, comfortable feelings or excitement). Implications of these results for the treatment of addiction are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 16 , Issue 1 , January 1988 , pp. 45 - 56
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 1988

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