Classical conditioning is a helpful way to change habits and deal with addictions. It works by connecting something neutral (like a sound or a sight) with something that causes a strong reaction, like food or fear. Over time, this creates a new response to the original neutral stimulus.

Key Facts:

• About 30% of people in a classical conditioning program for quitting smoking noticed a big drop in their cravings.
• In programs to treat alcohol addiction, people can have their urges reduced by 30-50% when using special techniques that change their associations with alcohol.
• A study showed that 70% of patients who tried aversive conditioning for substance abuse had better results than those who didn’t.

How It Works:

1. Cue Exposure Therapy: This involves slowly letting people face their triggers (like places or friends that make them want to use substances) without actually using those substances.
2. Aversive Conditioning: This method links using a substance with negative experiences, like feeling sick or having a bad taste, to help people reduce their cravings.

These methods show how classical conditioning can effectively change the connections that create habits and addictions.