Contingency management in a methadone maintenance program: availability of reinforcers

A survey was conducted to identify clinic privileges that might serve as reinforcers for a group of methadone maintenance clients. Fifty-three clients ranked nine clinic privileges according to their desirability. The opportunity to take medication home from the clinic on 4 days of the week was ranked as most desirable, on the average, followed by receiving cash payments ($30 and $10) and the opportunity for limited dosage self-control. Medication take-home privileges appear to be the most potent potential reinforcer available in the context of a methadone clinic.