Automated Contingency Management Using Smartphones May Reduce Barriers and Improve Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

This webpage provides a summary of a pilot study that examined whether use of an automated contingency management program improved treatment outcomes for people receiving outpatient treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). Contingency management has been shown in other studies to be an effective addition to substance use disorder treatment, but barriers to adoption including provider beliefs, training levels, and incorrect beliefs about its efficacy and costs. This study looked at whether using the automated system to deliver financial incentives for consistent abstinence from substance use, continued use of medications to treat OUD, regular attendance at scheduled and optional treatment, and use of cognitive-behavioral therapy modules in the app improved patient treatment outcomes. The study found that use of the automated contingency management system was associated with higher percentage of drug free urine tests and higher attendance at scheduled treatment appointments compared to individuals receiving treatment as usual. The summary includes a discussion of the implications of the findings for individuals and families seeking treatment, treatment providers, researchers and policy makers.

Funding Source: Recovery Research Institute – “This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.”