Chemical aversion treatment of alcoholism: Lithium as the aversive agent

Animal work indicating flavour aversion produced by chemical aversion therapy (CAT) with lithium might be effective in the treatment of alcoholism led to this treatment being given to 25 patients. The abstinence rate six months later of 36% was significantly better than the 12% rate for an equivalent group of patients, treated with a disulfuram-like drinking deterrent, calcium carbimide. The rate for the CAT group improves to 47% if 8 patients are excluded who did not develop sickness reactions to lithium. CAT with lithium appears safe given proper medical precautions.