Contingency management

Contingency Management is a type of behavioral therapy that provides rewards for desired behaviors and consequences for undesired behaviors. It is often used in substance abuse treatment and other areas of mental health.

Overview

Contingency Management (CM) is based on the principles of operant conditioning, which posits that behaviors can be changed by manipulating the consequences that follow them. In CM, individuals are rewarded for demonstrating desired behaviors and face consequences for demonstrating undesired behaviors. The rewards and consequences are known as contingencies.

Application in Substance Abuse Treatment

In the context of substance abuse treatment, CM is often used to encourage abstinence from drugs or alcohol. For example, individuals may be rewarded with vouchers or prizes for providing drug-free urine samples. The value of the rewards typically increases with each consecutive drug-free sample, providing an incentive for sustained abstinence.

Effectiveness

Research has shown that CM can be an effective treatment for substance abuse. A meta-analysis of 50 controlled trials found that CM was more effective than typical care in promoting abstinence from drugs and alcohol. However, the effectiveness of CM may depend on the specific contingencies used and the population being treated.

Limitations and Criticisms

Despite its effectiveness, CM has been criticized for its potential to create dependency on external rewards. Some critics argue that individuals may become reliant on the rewards provided in treatment and may not be able to maintain their behavior changes once the rewards are removed. Additionally, CM can be costly to implement, as it requires ongoing provision of rewards.

See Also

• Behavioral Therapy
• Substance Abuse
• Operant Conditioning

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