Reinforcement-based Treatment for Substance Use Disorders

Book excerpt: Substance use disorders typically take years to develop and to become entrenched. Thus, for users, creating a new and sustainable drug-free life takes time, intensive effort, and extensive ongoing support. This book is a clinician-friendly manual for implementing Reinforcement-Based Treatment (RBT), an intensive, evidence-based model for treating substance use disorders in community settings. RBT integrates the most effective behavioral techniques with motivational interviewing, highly individualized treatment plans, and case management. The goal is to help clients avoid substance use triggers and develop recreational outlets and support systems that are incompatible with substance use. Additionally, the model emphasizes customer service-a concept underemphasized in most programs-to ensure that clients receive positive reinforcement for attending treatment. Using a step-by-step approach that takes the reader through each treatment component, the authors provide clear, detailed, and practical case illustrations and a variety of useful forms and therapist scripts. RBT is a comprehensive approach that can be used with various populations to help clients initiate abstinence, prevent relapses early in the recovery process, and maintain sobriety on an ongoing basis. It is therefore an ideal model for clinicians, administrators, case management professionals, and others who work with substance abusers.