Addiction specialists' perspectives on digital contingency management and its role within UK drug and alcohol services: A qualitative exploration

Carol-Ann Getty; Nicola Metrebian; Joanne Neale; Tim Weaver; John Strang

doi:10.1111/dar.14046

Addiction specialists' perspectives on digital contingency management and its role within UK drug and alcohol services: A qualitative exploration

Carol-Ann Getty, Nicola Metrebian, Joanne Neale, Tim Weaver, John Strang

MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Contingency management (CM), based on the principles of operant conditioning, uses positive reinforcement to promote behaviour change in individuals with substance use disorder. Research on CM has grown exponentially, with technology being used to expand the reach and scope of these interventions. The views of policy professionals and treatment providers on the remote delivery of CM are likely to play an important role in the development and application of these interventions.

METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative interviews, analysed using framework analysis, were conducted with 22 UK-based addiction specialists to explore their views on digital CM, including its place within UK drug and alcohol services and future developments. Participants included commissioners, policy professionals and clinicians.

RESULTS: CM was widely acknowledged as an effective, scientifically grounded and appropriate treatment approach for drug treatment and recovery. While addiction specialists see CM as a powerful tool in a comprehensive addiction treatment toolkit, they identify the barriers impeding its implementation, including a lack of awareness among treatment providers, commissioning challenges, resource constraints and ethical concerns. Remote delivery of CM was considered a promising approach for overcoming some of these barriers and enhancing CM delivery and engagement.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Technology needs to be integrated into clinical practice to expand the reach of treatment. While current evidence supports digital CM, concerns about digital literacy, technological barriers, resource constraints, public acceptability and political hesitancy highlight the need for further research to validate its feasibility and to explore the extent to which it should complement, rather than replace, in-person treatment options.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	946-960
Number of pages	15
Journal	Drug and Alcohol Review
Volume	44
Issue number	4
Early online date	18 Mar 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.14046
Publication status	Published - 18 Mar 2025

Keywords

addiction specialists
contingency management
qualitative
technology

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Cite this

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abstract = "INTRODUCTION: Contingency management (CM), based on the principles of operant conditioning, uses positive reinforcement to promote behaviour change in individuals with substance use disorder. Research on CM has grown exponentially, with technology being used to expand the reach and scope of these interventions. The views of policy professionals and treatment providers on the remote delivery of CM are likely to play an important role in the development and application of these interventions.METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative interviews, analysed using framework analysis, were conducted with 22 UK-based addiction specialists to explore their views on digital CM, including its place within UK drug and alcohol services and future developments. Participants included commissioners, policy professionals and clinicians.RESULTS: CM was widely acknowledged as an effective, scientifically grounded and appropriate treatment approach for drug treatment and recovery. While addiction specialists see CM as a powerful tool in a comprehensive addiction treatment toolkit, they identify the barriers impeding its implementation, including a lack of awareness among treatment providers, commissioning challenges, resource constraints and ethical concerns. Remote delivery of CM was considered a promising approach for overcoming some of these barriers and enhancing CM delivery and engagement.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Technology needs to be integrated into clinical practice to expand the reach of treatment. While current evidence supports digital CM, concerns about digital literacy, technological barriers, resource constraints, public acceptability and political hesitancy highlight the need for further research to validate its feasibility and to explore the extent to which it should complement, rather than replace, in-person treatment options.",

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N2 - INTRODUCTION: Contingency management (CM), based on the principles of operant conditioning, uses positive reinforcement to promote behaviour change in individuals with substance use disorder. Research on CM has grown exponentially, with technology being used to expand the reach and scope of these interventions. The views of policy professionals and treatment providers on the remote delivery of CM are likely to play an important role in the development and application of these interventions.METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative interviews, analysed using framework analysis, were conducted with 22 UK-based addiction specialists to explore their views on digital CM, including its place within UK drug and alcohol services and future developments. Participants included commissioners, policy professionals and clinicians.RESULTS: CM was widely acknowledged as an effective, scientifically grounded and appropriate treatment approach for drug treatment and recovery. While addiction specialists see CM as a powerful tool in a comprehensive addiction treatment toolkit, they identify the barriers impeding its implementation, including a lack of awareness among treatment providers, commissioning challenges, resource constraints and ethical concerns. Remote delivery of CM was considered a promising approach for overcoming some of these barriers and enhancing CM delivery and engagement.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Technology needs to be integrated into clinical practice to expand the reach of treatment. While current evidence supports digital CM, concerns about digital literacy, technological barriers, resource constraints, public acceptability and political hesitancy highlight the need for further research to validate its feasibility and to explore the extent to which it should complement, rather than replace, in-person treatment options.

AB - INTRODUCTION: Contingency management (CM), based on the principles of operant conditioning, uses positive reinforcement to promote behaviour change in individuals with substance use disorder. Research on CM has grown exponentially, with technology being used to expand the reach and scope of these interventions. The views of policy professionals and treatment providers on the remote delivery of CM are likely to play an important role in the development and application of these interventions.METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative interviews, analysed using framework analysis, were conducted with 22 UK-based addiction specialists to explore their views on digital CM, including its place within UK drug and alcohol services and future developments. Participants included commissioners, policy professionals and clinicians.RESULTS: CM was widely acknowledged as an effective, scientifically grounded and appropriate treatment approach for drug treatment and recovery. While addiction specialists see CM as a powerful tool in a comprehensive addiction treatment toolkit, they identify the barriers impeding its implementation, including a lack of awareness among treatment providers, commissioning challenges, resource constraints and ethical concerns. Remote delivery of CM was considered a promising approach for overcoming some of these barriers and enhancing CM delivery and engagement.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Technology needs to be integrated into clinical practice to expand the reach of treatment. While current evidence supports digital CM, concerns about digital literacy, technological barriers, resource constraints, public acceptability and political hesitancy highlight the need for further research to validate its feasibility and to explore the extent to which it should complement, rather than replace, in-person treatment options.

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Addiction specialists' perspectives on digital contingency management and its role within UK drug and alcohol services: A qualitative exploration

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Keywords

UN SDGs

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