Contingency management treatments that reinforce completion of goal-related activities: Participation in family activities and its association with outcomes

Contingency management (CM) techniques that reinforce completion of nondrug related activities may be efficacious in treating substance dependence. No studies to date have evaluated whether involvement in particular types of activities reduces problems in those domains. One hundred fifty-nine cocaine-abusing adults who had been randomized to a CM intervention were categorized based on whether or not they engaged in three or more family related activities during the 12-week treatment period. Differences between the groups were evaluated with respect to treatment retention, length of continuous abstinence, and changes from baseline to the end of the intervention in ASI-family scores and days of family conflict. Participants who engaged in family activities (N = 29) remained in treatment longer, were abstinent for more weeks, and reported greater reduction in family conflict compared to participants who did not engage in family activities (N = 130). These data suggest that participants who elect to complete family related activities during CM treatments may evidence improved outcomes and reduced family conflict.