The Biden administration has made a significant move to support addiction treatment by eliminating a major barrier for health providers seeking to offer contingency management. Contingency management is a form of addiction treatment that helps individuals reduce their use of stimulants, such as methamphetamine, by providing financial incentives in exchange for reduced substance use. While some may find this approach controversial, numerous studies have shown its effectiveness in helping individuals curb their drug consumption.
Typical contingency management programs may involve providing gift cards in exchange for negative urine drug tests. However, federal grants supporting contingency management have been capped at $75 per year, a limit that experts and providers argue is inadequate to facilitate behavioral change. In a recent announcement, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) revealed that grants can now fund contingency management services up to $750 annually. These payments must be made through vouchers or gift cards, not in cash.
The decision to increase funding for contingency management comes at a critical time as the use of stimulants like meth and cocaine continues to rise. While opioid addiction remains a major concern, deaths attributed to stimulants have been on the rise, with an increasing number of overdoses involving a combination of opioids and stimulants. Unlike opioid addiction, there is currently no approved medication treatment for stimulant addiction, making contingency management a vital intervention for the millions of individuals struggling with stimulant use disorder.
Advocates for contingency management have long pushed for increased funding, arguing that the previous $75 cap was insufficient to support effective treatment. The Biden administration’s decision to raise the funding cap to $750 is not only a significant financial boost but also a symbolic show of support for this form of addiction treatment. This move could influence private insurers and healthcare providers to adopt contingency management as a viable intervention for substance use disorders.
Key figures in the advocacy for contingency management, such as Westley Clark, Sarah Wattenberg, David Gastfriend, and Keith Humphreys, have praised the administration’s decision, highlighting the importance of this treatment approach for addiction to stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine. Humphreys described the decision as a “huge advance” and emphasized the effectiveness of contingency management in addressing substance use disorders.
Overall, the Biden administration’s support for contingency management marks a significant step forward in addiction treatment, providing hope for individuals struggling with stimulant addiction and paving the way for improved access to effective interventions.
