Motivational incentives, or contingency management, is a strategy that many mental health and addiction treatment centers use to assist their patients. This tactic rests on the idea that consequences shape a person’s behavior and uses a range of behavioral interventions. Each of these provides or denies a reward or negative consequences in response to a person’s actions. Research shows that addiction contingency management therapy is a useful tool in encouraging sobriety.

At Pines Recovery Life Detox, we use contingency management therapy alongside a wide array of treatment options to support each patient’s sobriety. To learn about how we can help you take the first steps to sobriety, please call Pines Recovery Life Detox today at 855.981.8935.

What Is Contingency Management?man participates in contingency management

Research shows that people learn and change their behaviors due to specific rewards and punishments based on their actions. For instance, people tend to repeat behaviors if they know that there is an incentive at the end. However, they often avoid acts that have specific, consistent consequences.

Contingency management therapy provides rewards that reinforce sober behaviors, allowing them to achieve their sober living goals. For instance, many programs base their programs on negative drug tests and use reward systems to incentivize social, vocational, or educational objectives. Contingency management therapy can appear in inpatient treatment programs, traditional outpatient programs, and partial hospitalization programs.

This treatment is unique from alternative treatment approaches due to its emphasis on positive reinforcement rather than punishment. Some treatment centers create a toxic atmosphere by doling out harsh and confrontational punishments when patients fail to meet the program guidelines. Doing so alienates a person from the treatment community. It also has adverse effects on their self-confidence and their motivation to change their behaviors.

With our contingency management services, we strive to provide a supportive and welcoming environment. When our clients can meet their goals, they’ll receive a prize or voucher. However, if they cannot do so, they simply don’t get the reward for that session. When experts have compared this method to more aggressive approaches, the difference is clear: using incentives has a long-lasting, inspiring impact.

Types of Contingency Management Therapy

There are two distinct types of contingency management therapy available today. The first version is voucher-based reinforcement, where patients receive vouchers for each negative drug test. Vouchers have a certain value that clients can use to obtain specific services or services that they can use while they remain sober. For instance, vouchers may be used to get items such as:

  • Gift certificates
  • Movie tickets
  • Food
  • Clothing
  • Electronics

As the person continues to remain sober, the value of the vouchers they receive may increase. Research shows that this type of contingency management is ideal for those struggling with an addiction to stimulants or opioids.

Alternatively, the treatment center may offer prize-based incentives. This type of rewards system works best for patients who are in treatment for a period of three months or more. During this treatment, patients draw a slip from a bowl. These slips may provide words of encouragement or cash prizes. It is best to choose a reward system that will work for the individual rather than the group.

Contact Pines Recovery Life Detox

At Pines Recovery Life Detox, we recognize that staying sober is a challenging task. However, we also know that if there’s a rewards system in place, patients are more likely to stay sober for longer periods of time. As a result, we’re proud to provide contingency management as part of a range of programs, including:

To learn more about how contingency management can encourage your sobriety, please reach out to Pines Recovery Life Detox today at 855.981.8935, or contact us online.