Group-Based Contingency Management for Substance Abuse Treatment - 1

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of prize-based contingency management
(CM) when administered exclusively in groups. Substance dependent patients (N=360) at
community-based treatment programs are randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (a)
standard, non-CM treatment or (b) standard treatment plus prize CM delivered in groups. In
the CM condition, patients earn the opportunity to win prizes ranging from $1 to $100 in
value for attending groups and submitting drug-free biological specimens. Substance use and
psychosocial problems are measured at intake, month 1, month 3 (post treatment), and at 6-,
9-, and 12-month follow-up evaluations. We also assess patient characteristics that may be
associated with improved outcomes within and across conditions.