title: A randomized study of cellphone technology to reinforce alcohol abstinence in the natural environment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Contingency management (CM) uses tangible incentives to systematically reinforce abstinence and is among the most efficacious psychosocial substance abuse treatments. This study assessed the feasibility and initial efficacy of a portable CM procedure designed to address technical limitations for detecting drinking that have prevented using CM for alcohol problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants received a cellphone, breathalyzer and training on video-recording alcohol breath tests (BrACs) and texting results. For 4 weeks, staff texted participants one to three times daily indicating that a breath alcohol concentration test (BrAC) was due within the hour. Participants were randomized to (1) modest compensation for submitting dated time-stamped BrAC videos regardless of results or (2) the same plus CM with escalating vouchers for on-time alcohol-negative tests (n-BrAC; <02 g/dl). 'Thank-you' texts were sent, with CM patients also informed of results-based earnings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants' natural environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults (n = 30; ≥ 21 years) who drank frequently but were not physiologically dependent.
  
  
  METHODS
  Drinking and related problems were assessed at intake and week 4. BrACs and self-reports of drinking were collected throughout. The primary outcome was the percentage of n-BrACs. Other outcomes were the longest duration of consecutive n-BrACs (longest duration of abstinence) and self-reports of drinking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On average, 88.6% (10.4%) of BrACs were submitted on time, without group differences (P = 0.18). The percentage of n-BrACs and LDA were greater with CM, and there was an interaction effect on drinking frequency and negative consequences, with decreases over time with CM (P = 0.00; effect sizes d = 0.52-0.62).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cellphone technology may be useful for extending contingency management to treatment for alcohol problems.
authors.affiliation: Calhoun Cardiology Center, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Sheila M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Alessi
authors.forename: Nancy M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Petry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D064829:Alcohol Abstinence / Q000523:psychology*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D040421:Cell Phone; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057566:Self Report; D012931:Social Environment; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult