Research by Stephen Higgins, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., professor of psychiatry at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, was discussed in an APA Monitor on Psychology article on contingency management (CM) as a treatment for stimulant use disorder.
Dr. Higgins and others have shown in randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses that CM is more effective than counseling in preventing smoking during pregnancy and that it can be done through a smartphone app.
Contingency management is a highly effective incentive-based treatment for stimulant use disorder, and clinical practice guidelines, real-world results, and policy shifts are paving the way for more patients to benefit from CM. CM also holds promise for treating other substance use disorders and promoting a range of healthy behaviors.