The Role of Alternative Reinforcement in Treatment Outcome Among Methamphetamine Users

The current study examined the relationship between non-drug reinforcement in the natural environment and treatment outcome for methamphetamine dependence. The study utilized archival data from a sample of 108 men and woman who were seeking treatment for methamphetamine dependence. Results of analyses suggest that in the current sample, whether or not one had recently used methamphetamine prior to treatment (baseline) was not related to frequency or enjoyability of naturalistic reinforcement; neither frequency nor enjoyability of naturalistic reinforcement increased after 12 weeks of contingency management treatment and group therapy; and change in reinforcement was not correlated with treatment outcome as measured by negative urine results or attendance. However, results suggested a time x group interaction on frequency of engaging in pleasant events, indicating the pattern between drug use groups (methamphetamine use vs. no use at baseline) differs as a result of time (baseline vs. 12 weeks).