title: Integrating contingency management with relapse prevention skills: comment on Silverman et al. (2001).
abstract: The study by K. Silverman, D. Svikis, E. Robles, M. L. Stitzer, and G. E. Bigelow (2001) demonstrates the effectiveness of a voucher-based reinforcement intervention in the treatment of pregnant women in treatment for substance abuse. The effects of prolonged initial abstinence as a form of "sobriety sampling" may serve to enhance long-term recovery by providing patients with rewards for maintaining abstinence. Several limitations to the study are addressed, including selection of the treatment sample and the absence of any follow-up data on drug use or relapse following completion of the 24-week treatment program. Recommendations are made to enhance maintenance of abstinence by providing coping-skill training for relapse prevention as an addition to the contingency management approach.
authors.affiliation: Addictive Behaviors Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-1526, USA. marlatt@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Marlatt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000523:psychology*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012107:Research Design; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*