title: Evaluating the reinforcement value of clinic-based privileges through a multiple choice procedure.
abstract: A novel multiple choice procedure was utilized to evaluate the potential reinforcement value of three clinic-based incentives available during routine methadone treatment: methadone take-homes, methadone dose increases, and extra counseling. Fourteen methadone maintenance patients who were not earning any of these incentives completed a multiple choice form in which they made choices between pairs of incentives and subsequently between each incentive and a series of monetary values. Choice behavior was intermittently reinforced by randomly awarding to patients one of their chosen preferences. Results demonstrated that take-homes were worth US$20.24 and were rated as more desirable than dose increases (US$13.89) and extra counseling (US$7.47). The study updates and extends past research in this area and provides a methodology for establishing both a monetary value for clinic-based incentives and an absolute magnitude between preferences. The procedure could be used to examine a larger number of potential reinforcers and to understand individual differences in responding to incentive-based treatment programs.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kidorf
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Stitzer
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Griffiths
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003376:Counseling; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009042:Motivation; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014040:Token Economy
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone