Facilitators and barriers to a contingency management alcohol intervention involving a transdermal alcohol sensor

Research on contingency management is limited due to feasibility issues with monitoring adherence. Incentives usually depend on objective measures to verify compliance; therefore, biological markers for identifying alcohol use are not as dependable for the use of financial contingency studies. The Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor (SCRAM) is an objective alcohol biosensor that can be locked onto a person's ankle to address these limitations. In preparation for a large, contingency management study for HIV-positive and HIV-negative persons with heavy drinking, the aims for the study were to (1) explore barriers and facilitators to participating in a contingency management intervention using the SCRAM ankle monitor as the potential alcohol measure for the intervention; (2) explore levels of appropriate compensation for using the SCRAM and for study assessments as part of a contingency management intervention study; and (3) attitudes and beliefs on lifestyle changes as a consequence of wearing the SCRAM among HIV-positive and HIV-negative heavy drinkers in Florida. Five focus groups were conducted and we collected qualitative data from thirty-seven individuals (18 men; 19 women). During the analysis, six themes were identified as barriers and facilitators for participation in a contingency management intervention using the SCRAM sensor to measure alcohol use: (1) health assessment, (2) monetary incentives including payment structure and levels of compensation, (3) stigma associated with wearing the SCRAM sensor, (4) aesthetics and other related concerns with wearing the SCRAM sensor, (5) motivation to stop drinking, and (6) social support. Stigma was a major barrier for wearing the SCRAM sensor; however, if participants were motivated to change their behavior then the monetary incentives became a facilitator to wearing the sensor. In addition to the financial contingency method, social support may further increase the odds for participants to change their behaviors.