Contingency management (CM) is an effective behavioral intervention that provides tangible reinforcement when target behaviors are completed and objectively verified. A large body of literature supports the use of CM for the treatment of persons with substance use disorders (SUDs). Many applications of CM in treating SUDs focus on abstinence, providing monetary rewards or prizes when clients provide objective evidence of abstinence from drugs (e.g., urine samples). Contingency management has also been adapted successfully to reinforce other behaviors, including treatment attendance, medication adherence, and treatment-related activities (e.g., submitting job applications, attending medical appointments). Despite this strong empirical foundation, CM has only been widely disseminated within large self-contained healthcare systems (e.g., Veterans Affairs).  This workshop will review the application of CM to promote positive behavior change in substance use disorder treatment settings.  Attendees will learn how to design and implement an effective CM program. Specifically, 1) the theoretical underpinnings and supporting empirical literature, 2) different types of CM programs (i.e., voucher, prize), 3) effective design features, 4) most common deviations from evidence-based protocols and how to avoid them, 5) common barriers, 6) how to calculate costs of delivering CM incentives themselves and 7) strategies for designing your own protocol.

After the webinar, participants will be able to understand CM theory and the supporting empirical literature; recognize different types of CM programs; recognize effective  features of CM Interventions and reinforcement schedules; and understand common deviations from evidence-based protocols and how to avoid them.