Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Mar;42(3):641-651.
doi: 10.1111/dar.13555. Epub 2022 Oct 21.

A qualitative exploration of patients' experience of mobile telephone-delivered contingency management to promote adherence to supervised methadone

Carol-Ann Getty  1 , Tim Weaver  2 , Nicola Metrebian  1
Affiliations

A qualitative exploration of patients' experience of mobile telephone-delivered contingency management to promote adherence to supervised methadone

Carol-Ann Getty et al. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2023 Mar.

Abstract

Introduction: Despite an increasing evidence base for mobile telephone-delivered contingency management (mCM), there had been no previous qualitative exploration of patients' experience of receiving mCM and the factors that might influence that experience and outcome in a UK setting. The aim of this study was to understand patients' views and experience of receiving mCM by exploring their beliefs, expectations and perceived benefits within the context of the UK's first mCM intervention.

Methods: Qualitative interviews (N = 15) were conducted with patients undergoing opioid agonist treatment in a UK drug treatment service and receiving mCM to encourage adherence with supervised methadone as part of an existing study. Interviews were conducted at two time points and analysed using Framework to explore patients' expectations and beliefs during the early stage of the intervention (2 weeks) and their perceived benefits and experience at the end of the intervention (12 weeks).

Results: The mCM was perceived as a motivator, providing validation of achievement, and involving discreet and positive interactions. Perceived benefits included enhanced methadone adherence, reduced drug use and the development of a supportive and non-judgemental connection that resembled a therapeutic alliance.

Discussion and conclusions: The mechanisms underpinning contingency management appeared to operate in the absence of human interaction, and the mCM intervention was deemed to be meaningful, acceptable and well received by patients. These findings not only provide support for the application of mCM in this context but also offer insight into the factors that influence outcomes and should be considered in the development of future mCM interventions.

Keywords: contingency management; opioid agonist treatment; opioids; remote delivery.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

REFERENCES

    1. Prendergast M, Podus D, Finney J, Greenwell L, Roll J. Contingency management for treatment of substance use disorders: a meta-analysis. Addiction. 2006;101:1546-60.
    1. Lussier JP, Heil SH, Mongeon JA, Badger GJ, Higgins ST. A meta-analysis of voucher-based reinforcement therapy for substance use disorders. Addiction. 2006;101:192-203.
    1. Griffith JD, Rowan-Szal GA, Roark RR, Simpson DD. Contingency management in outpatient methadone treatment: a meta-analysis. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2000;58:55-66.
    1. Gates PJ, Sabioni P, Copeland J, Le Foll B, Gowing L. Psychosocial interventions for cannabis use disorder. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;5:CD005336.
    1. Benishek LA, Dugosh KL, Kirby KC, Matejkowski J, Clements NT, Seymour BL, et al. Prize-based contingency management for the treatment of substance abusers: a meta-analysis. Addiction. 2014;109:1426-36.

Publication types