Application of Contingency Management-Prize Reinforcement to Community Practice with Alcohol and Drug Problems: A Critical Examination

Abstract

Contingency management prize reinforcement (CM-PR) is a highly successful intervention for drug or alcohol dependence that shows improved outcomes over standard methadone maintenance and counseling, and 12-step disease model outpatient counseling. CM-PR treatment for individuals with substance abuse problems is examined by applying criteria for choosing an intervention. CM-PR is applied to Codes of Ethics from professional organizations of behavior analysts, chemical dependency counselors, psychiatrists and addictionologists, psychologists, nurses, and social workers that are major providers of substance abuse treatment. Limitations of using CM-PR in community treatment are discussed.