Mark K. Greenwald. (2008)
Opioid abstinence reinforcement delays heroin lapse during buprenorphine dose tapering.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
41, 603-607.
A positive reinforcement contingency increased opioid abstinence during
outpatient dose tapering (4, 2, then 0 mg/day during Weeks 1 through 3)
in non-treatment-seeking heroin-dependent volunteers who had been
maintained on buprenorphine (8 mg/day) during an inpatient research
protocol. The control group (n = 12) received $4.00 for completing
assessments at each thrice-weekly visit during dose tapering; 10 of 12
lapsed to heroin use 1 day after discharge. The abstinence reinforcement
group (n = 10) received $30.00 for each consecutive opioid-free urine
sample; this significantly delayed heroin lapse (median, 15 days).
DESCRIPTORS: buprenorphine, contingency management, drug abstinence, heroin, positive reinforcement, relapse prevention