The brief abstinence test: effects of continued incentive availability on cocaine abstinence

Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2002 Feb;10(1):10-7. doi: 10.1037//1064-1297.10.1.10.

Abstract

This study compared the effects of 4 voucher incentive conditions of a brief abstinence test on continuous cocaine abstinence. In 3 conditions, cocaine-abusing methadone patients could earn $100 for 2 days of cocaine abstinence; 2 of these conditions offered, on either a continuous or interrupted schedule, an additional $300 for evidence of sustained abstinence over the next 9 days. In the 4th condition, no incentives were available. In incentive conditions, 70-80% of patients initiated abstinence, compared with 48% in the no-incentive condition. Both continuing reinforcement conditions produced higher rates of sustained abstinence than the single and no-voucher conditions. The study confirmed the utility of quantitative urine-testing methods combined with high valued incentives to promote cocaine abstinence initiation in methadone maintenance patients.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / psychology*
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / urine
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methadone / therapeutic use
  • Motivation
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Substance Abuse Detection
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Methadone