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Implementation of Contingency Management at a Large VA Addiction Treatment Center
Hang Ruan1, Cody L Bullock1, Greg M Reger1
1Mr. Ruan and Dr. Bullock are with the Addiction Treatment Center, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle/Tacoma. Dr. Reger is with the Mental Health Service, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle.
Abstract:
Contingency management (CM) is an evidence-based intervention that reinforces target behaviors of patients, such as abstinence from substance use. This column discusses the experiences and lessons learned at a large U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Addiction Treatment Center during implementation of CM as part of the VA's national rollout. Challenges are discussed related to staff reception and limited initial referrals, identifying a drug testing method and staff confidence in that method, training requirements, and financial resources needed. Local innovations and CM expansion since 2012 are also reviewed.
