Final answer:
Disulfiram is prescribed to Tim to help him stop drinking alcohol by causing unpleasant effects upon alcohol consumption, which is known as counterconditioning or aversion therapy, the correct option is D).
Step-by-step explanation:
Tim, an alcoholic, is prescribed disulfiram by his doctor to help him halt his alcohol consumption. Disulfiram works by causing unpleasant physiological effects when even small amounts of alcohol are consumed. This type of treatment is best described as aversion therapy, which falls under the category of counterconditioning.
The goal of disulfiram is to create a negative association with alcohol consumption by eliciting negative reactions such as flushing, nausea, dizziness, sweating, headache, and low blood pressure, which are due to the accumulation of acetaldehyde in the body, as disulfiram inhibits the enzyme that would normally break it down.
This technique is distinct from methods like systematic desensitization or flooding, which are used in exposure therapy for anxiety disorders, and inhibition, which generally refers to the suppression of a process. In the context of addiction treatment, aversion therapy like the use of disulfiram is intended to deter the individual from engaging in the addictive behavior due to the immediate and uncomfortable consequences.