%0 Journal Article
%T A randomized study of cell phone technology to reinforce alcohol abstinence in the natural environment
%J Addiction
%D 2013
%A Alessi, Sheila M.
%A Petry, Nancy M.
%V 108
%N 5
%P 900-909
%X AIMS: Contingency management (CM) uses tangible incentives to systematically reinforce abstinence and is among the most efficacious psychosocial substance abuse treatments. This study assessed the feasibility and initial efficacy of a portable CM procedure designed to address technical limitations for detecting drinking that have prevented using CM for alcohol problems. DESIGN: Participants received a cell phone, breathalyzer, and training on video-recording alcohol breath tests (BrACs) and texting results. For 4 weeks, staff texted participants 1-3 times daily indicating a BrAC was due within the hour. Participants were randomized to (1) modest compensation for submitting dated time-stamped BrAC videos regardless of results or (2) the same plus CM with escalating vouchers for on-time alcohol-negative tests (n-BrAC; <02 g/dL). Thank you texts were sent, with CM patients also informed of results-based earnings. SETTING: Participants' natural environment. PARTICIPANTS: Adults (N=30; ≥21 years) who drank frequently but not physiologically dependent. MEASUREMENTS: Drinking and related problems were assessed at Intake and Week 4. BrACs and self-reports of drinking were collected throughout. The primary outcome was percent of n-BrACs. Other outcomes were longest duration of consecutive n-BrACs (LDA) and self-reports of drinking. FINDINGS: On average, 88.6% (10.4%) of BrACs were submitted on time, without group differences (p>.5). Percent of n-BrACs and LDA were greater with CM, and there was an interaction effect on drinking frequency and negative consequences, with decreases over time with CM (p=.00; effect sizes d=.52 to.62). CONCLUSION: Cell phone technology may be useful for extending contingency management to treatment for alcohol problems.<p /><p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I John Wiley and Sons
%@ 0965-2140
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/add.12093