Improving treatment outcomes for pregnant drug-dependent women using low-magnitude voucher incentives

Addict Behav. 2000 Mar-Apr;25(2):263-7. doi: 10.1016/s0306-4603(98)00119-1.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of low-magnitude behavioral incentives in improving attendance for abstinence-treated patients and sustaining illicit-drug abstinence for methadone-treated patients. Subjects were randomly assigned to either incentive or control conditions, with target behaviors differing for the two patient groups (attendance for abstinence-treated and abstinence for methadone-treated patients). Controls received no incentives, whereas incentive subjects could earn $5/day in vouchers during the first 7 days of an intensive outpatient treatment. Results showed that $5/day did not significantly improve attendance in abstinence-treated patients or impact drug abstinence in methadone-treated patients. The data suggest that low-magnitude voucher incentives enhanced treatment attendance by methadone-treated subjects. Although modest monetary incentives had some utility in improving attendance in methadone-treated patients, more potent interventions are needed to improve attendance and maintain abstinence in this high-risk population.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Ambulatory Care / psychology
  • Behavior Therapy*
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Methadone / therapeutic use
  • Motivation*
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Patient Compliance / psychology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / psychology
  • Pregnancy Complications / rehabilitation*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Temperance / psychology
  • Token Economy

Substances

  • Illicit Drugs
  • Methadone