Advisor-Teller Money Manager (ATM) therapy for substance use disorders

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Addiction Medicine
• Behavioral Therapy

Background:

• Individuals with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders often require financial management assistance.
• Money management has not been previously established as a theory-based therapeutic intervention for substance abuse.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a novel money management therapy, Advisor-Teller Money Manager (ATM), in treating substance abuse or dependence.

Main Methods:

• A randomized clinical trial involving 90 patients with a history of cocaine or alcohol abuse/dependence.
• Participants were assigned to either the ATM intervention or a control group using a financial workbook for 36 weeks.
• Substance use was monitored via calendars and urine toxicology, with follow-up at 52 weeks.

Main Results:

• ATM therapy resulted in significantly more negative cocaine metabolite toxicology results over time compared to the control group.
• Clinicians reported higher rates of abstinence from illicit drugs in the ATM group.
• No significant difference in self-reported alcohol abstinence was observed between groups.

Conclusions:

• Advisor-Teller Money Manager (ATM) is an effective therapy for cocaine abuse or dependence in patients with comorbid psychiatric conditions.
• The therapy necessitates careful consideration of patient autonomy and staff safety protocols.