Contingency Management: A Highly Effective Treatment for Stimulant Use Disorders

Contingency management (CM) is an evidence-based treatment that effectively addresses stimulant use disorders, such as cocaine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine abuse. Rooted in fundamental learning principles like operant conditioning, CM utilizes positive reinforcement for recovery behaviors like abstinence from stimulants. By incorporating elements of extinction and mild consequences for relapses, CM aims to reinforce enduring abstinence while discouraging substance consumption. The treatment's success lies in simultaneously rewarding recovery and eliminating unhealthy behaviors.