Earning Prizes for Fighting an Addiction

I’m sympathetic to the moralistic objections to this program, but I disagree with them. The real problem with these kinds of incentives is that the effects do not seem to last when the rewards are terminated. They are most effective in keeping people engaged in treatment, not in generating lasting change by themselves. Theoretically, this should buy some time for the rest of the treatment to take effect. It may be that the problem is that the rest of the treatment is not particularly effective. Much current treatment for substance use disorders is poorly focused and theoretically bereft, provided by minimally trained clinicians in poorly funded programs. These are among our most stigmatized and neglected patients.

I like the idea of providing an instant reward for success but isn’t offering incentives for success a form of capitalism? Don’t let Bernie or Liz hear about this. Bernie will want the rewards (which will come from people who never used) shared by everyone in the program regardless of whether they use or not. Liz will want to break up the most successful ex-addict.

Here’s some more ignorance In my online version, the “pop up” ad that was on my page was for “Black opium”! Granted, a perfume....but really?.... Just too obvious not to point out.

What an excellent idea! If people receive tangible benefits for correct behaviors, the behaviorist model for changing behavior just might work to train a different behavior. Now if we could just expand it to failing schools to encourage their students, we'd really be on a path to improving society

I am disheartened not by the article, but by the knee-jerk moralism displayed by some commenters here who disapprove of the program, usually without understanding the real benefits. But I suppose it is illustrative of our particular American mentality, which starts off with the presumption that only punishment works, and that we don't want to "reward bad behavior." Perhaps we should just keep up the failed War on Drugs for another few decades?

Once again, Hopefully well meaning people, venture into territory they are unfamiliar with. Over the centuries Doctors, clergy, and sometimes charlatans, attempt at fixing addictive people, Only one has had true success. And that is, AA. The reason is, the substance (alcohol) is not viewed as the problem, it is but a symptom of a greater lacking. Since the 1930’s the success rate of AA has been enormous and world wide, solely on that fact. Alcoholism and it’s sister addictions, food, sex, drugs, and gambling all stem from the same root. Giving addicts a reward is Ludacris and the researchers ought to know better. That in my opinions where we cross into charlatans, because they are looking to profit from their “cure” and care not for the souls of the sufferer...if you suffer from addiction, and you know it if you do....trust me, nothing but a spiritual awakening will allow you any relief.

This sounds great. Can we try it for Facebook and Twitter addiction? Technology can act like a stimulant too. The instant reward.

Obviously, addicts are looking for something that will excite their brains in some way. Winning money does that for a lot of people which is why gambling is also an addiction. It is certainly not the lifestyle of being a down and out addict stealing for your next fix which attracts people. What happens when the prizes are not big enough to satisfy the addicts or they graduate from that program?

What's wrong with rewards? Who would go to work for a company every day if he didn't get the reward of a paycheck every week or two weeks? There are some awful jobs out here. Dangerous, boring, stressful, exhausting, meaningless, dirty. There are some awful bosses telling us what to do and some awful co-workers. But we keep showing up for work to get the "prize." That prize incentive seems to work pretty well for business owners and investors, doesn't it?

I am a board-certified psychiatrist. The simple and good solution is to stop being concerned, on a governmental level, of what drugs adults choose to ingest. Get a life, and cease trying to stop adults from engaging in what are called "victimless crimes." The government has no proper role policing private, adult behavior. The war on drugs exists to target dark-skinned people, to enrich the police/military/politicians, and to stop people from enjoying themselves in unapproved ways. Think for yourself.

I am a caregiver for my elderly father, caring for him around the clock and have been for many years--where is my giftcard. I have lost years of my life both literally and through mental stress. You either do the right thing because it is the right thing or you don't.

... which they will use to buy more drugs, because they are addicted. That is how addiction works. You walk by the M&M's jar at work, and take a bunch, every time and will stop now, and this is the last time. But you think that giving cash to drug addicts is what, going to make them clean? How about giving a tax discount to those of us who do not do drugs as an inventive? 10% off your taxes if you pass a drug text twice a year. That I would love to see.

I assume that these people getting gifts are adults, as children would have to have the okay of their parents, in this day, and age, or not?! However, using bribes for anything is really the sign of the age we live in. It is really not going to be that effective, as in reality, one reward using the drug, versus going for the monetary reward instead, doesn't seem to be anything more than a waste of money if one knows about drug addiction. It states in this piece, that the drug user never goes off the drug, but lessens its use. That alone shows, that the incentives should be about not beginning to use at all. That might be the only place that these programs work. I have long thought that they should pay all 14-24 year old girls, money but put in a bank account, if they stayed on birth control, and didn't get pregnant for 10 years, they would have $10,000, as that is pennies compared to paying for a single mother, her child, or children, that she can't financially take care of, that would need childcare, college or vocational subsidies, healthcare, housing voucher, food debit card, SNAP, welfare, etc, which per female, and her children, runs over $60,000 per year, if anyone else had to pay for all of it on the open market. Prevention is where the focus should be, as chronic behavior of any kind, is not easily changed, whether criminal behavior, drug use, one's health, sexual activity, etc. When females started to leave the home, and got divorced, society fell apart.

Giving money to junkies because they can go 72~ hours without using? Maybe I’m just a tad naive, but that sounds like pretty good motivation to encourage the abuse of illicit drugs in moderation.

How about this for a prize: you beat addiction, you keep your job, your family stays intact and with you, and you are surrounded by loved ones. But I guess some people respond better with gift cards. I also once heard that prevention is the best medicine. How about giving tangible gifts to those who are drug free from the start? And then deny those gifts if they become addicted?

Ask yourself: Do you want to pay some of your hard earned money to an addict to stay clean? If you do, there are charities. I, and most people, do not want to pay this.

Excellent idea, tangible gifts if your blood sample comes back negative. Shall I go and claim the gift? Wait, I don't take any illegal drugs, so, no rights? Let's find an alternative, proper replacement, and a new environment absent too many distractions and like-addict companionship.

Must be because these are white people. Black and brown people are thrown in jail. That is it their incentive to stay clean.

I believe there is an extensive literature that proves that once tangible reinforcers are withdrawn that the behavior reverts back. Therefore, the tangible reinforcers will be needed for the rest of the addict's life. I also believe there is an extensive literature that addicts are more prone to the effects of habituation. In other words, an outcome which is experienced as positive tends to dissipate with time. This would imply that not only would monetary compensation be needed for the rest of the addict's life, but that the compensation would constantly need to be increased to be effective.

A number of additions to this descriptive article are merited. Drug users, whether of medicines, used for non-medical reasons/functions, or a range of illegal drugs, which are known to have medicinal uses, such as cannabis, represent are diverse people. Personal characteristics, types, levels, and qualities of internal and external resources used for daily coping, adapting and functioning, functions and manner of their use.Their treatment, for decades, globally, has been limited to ideologically-underpinned therapies, based on a limited range of goals (abstinence and harm reduction); policies re for how long and where (ambulatory, or in some site such as a hospital or a residence like a therapeutic community). Within a "diseasing" framework. With consensualized psychiatric diagnoses "Substance Use Disorder SUD/Alcohol Use Disorder AUD."A person with a name + unique Identity is "homogenized," into "addicted" (of a "a chronic disease of the brain"). "Dependent." The rest of US have habits.The best that THEY can achieve is to BE an "ex." A "former!" Or in "recovery."Pathological "relapse" is expected. Not "Fail better," each time. As is dropping out of "drug Rx." The new break through, which fits into a market society, is commodification: offering rewards and incentives. Which are not the same. When a viable goal which is important for that person,is set WITH a partner, with necessary enabling conditions s/he is likely to "risk" IT.A daily human reality. Not an addiction Rx.

Whatever it takes, I suppose! However, once the gift cards and other incentives to stay clean run out, what then? Hopefully at 12 Step program where staying clean and sober is its own reward...one day at a time!

Sometimes very effective methodologies are ridiculously simple. If you can just insert the right incentives, you can change people's behavior every time. I have seen it in bureaucracies and schools. People will always gravitate toward the action that gives the correct reward. We just don't look at the problems in the correct (clever) way to figure out how to structure the reward. You have to be able to think of things outside the orthodox approaches.

It is mind-boggling to think that people knowing the possibility of becoming addicted to drug engage in using it. At times it appears that they are responsible for their own misfortune.

Addiction is a horrible nightmare. I know. I've been there. And chances are everyone knows someone very close to them who's also been there, or still is. This program, or anything that helps get people clean, and stay clean, is Fantastic!