Schedule of voucher delivery influences initiation of cocaine abstinence.
This study examined whether voucher delivery arrangements affect treatment outcome. First, 90 cocaine-dependent adults were randomly assigned to behavioral counseling or counseling plus vouchers for cocaine-free urine samples. The value of each voucher was low at the beginning but increased as the patient progressed (Voucher Schedule 1). Voucher Schedule 1 produced no improvements relative to counseling only. Next, 23 patients received vouchers on either Voucher Schedule 1 or Voucher Schedule 2. Voucher Schedule 2 began with high voucher values, but requirements for earning vouchers increased as the patient progressed. Average durations of cocaine abstinence were 6.9 weeks on Voucher Schedule 2 versus 2.0 weeks on Voucher Schedule 1 (p = .02). This confirms that vouchers can assist in initiating abstinence and that voucher delivery arrangements are critical.
Kirby
K C
KC
Department of Counseling Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122-6085, USA.
Marlowe
D B
DB
Festinger
D S
DS
Lamb
R J
RJ
Platt
J J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000523:psychology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014040:Token Economy; D016896:Treatment Outcome