title: Use of continuous transdermal alcohol monitoring during a contingency management procedure to reduce excessive alcohol use.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research on contingency management to treat excessive alcohol use is limited due to feasibility issues with monitoring adherence. This study examined the effectiveness of using transdermal alcohol monitoring as a continuous measure of alcohol use to implement financial contingencies to reduce heavy drinking.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six male and female drinkers (from 21 to 39 years old) were recruited from the community. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment sequences. Sequence 1 received 4 weeks of no financial contingency (i.e., $0) drinking followed by 4 weeks each of $25 and then $50 contingency management; Sequence 2 received 4 weeks of $25 contingency management followed by 4 weeks each of no contingency (i.e., $0) and then $50 contingency management. During the $25 and $50 contingency management conditions, participants were paid each week when the Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor (SCRAM-II™) identified no heavy drinking days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants in both contingency management conditions had fewer drinking episodes and reduced frequencies of heavy drinking compared to the $0 condition. Participants randomized to Sequence 2 (receiving $25 contingency before the $0 condition) exhibited less frequent drinking and less heavy drinking in the $0 condition compared to participants from Sequence 1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transdermal alcohol monitoring can be used to implement contingency management programs to reduce excessive alcohol consumption.
authors: Psychiatry Department, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, NRLC MC 7793, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA. Electronic address: doughertyd@uthscsa.edu.
authors: Donald M
authors: DM
authors: Dougherty
authors: Psychiatry Department, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, NRLC MC 7793, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
authors: Nathalie
authors: N
authors: Hill-Kapturczak
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, NRLC MC 7793, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
authors: Yuanyuan
authors: Y
authors: Liang
authors: Psychiatry Department, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, NRLC MC 7793, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
authors: Tara E
authors: TE
authors: Karns
authors: Psychiatry Department, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, NRLC MC 7793, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
authors: Sharon E
authors: SE
authors: Cates
authors: Psychiatry Department, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, NRLC MC 7793, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
authors: Sarah L
authors: SL
authors: Lake
authors: Psychiatry Department, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, NRLC MC 7793, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
authors: Jillian
authors: J
authors: Mullen
authors: Psychiatry Department, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, NRLC MC 7793, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
authors: John D
authors: JD
authors: Roache
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol
keywords: Contingency management; Excessive alcohol use; Transdermal alcohol monitoring