On September 7, 2022, AP News published "Candy, cash, gifts: How rewards help recovery from addiction," an inside look at how contingency management (CM), an evidence-based therapy rooted in behavioral economics that provides incentives or rewards for a desired behavior, is gaining support across the country and with the federal government. Written by journalist Carla K. Johnson, the piece explores why there is a greater need than ever to turn to solutions such as contingency management to help address the rising number of overdoses and those struggling with substance use disorder. Although there are medications that can assist those with opioid use disorder, nothing exists to help those who are addicted to stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamines. The only known and research-based solutions for those using stimulants is contingency management. Today, more people suffer from fatal overdoses with multiple drugs in their systems, including stimulants.

Johnson explores the use of CM with people in recovery in states from Washington to Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. She spoke with VCBH Director and CM pioneer Stephen Higgins, PhD as well as other CM leaders including Sara Becker, PhD, Carla Rash, PhD, and Dominick DePhilippis of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs substance use disorders program, which has been using CM since 2011.

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