Contingency Management For Substance Abuse & Pregnant Women

Substance use disorder (SUD) is extremely common and there are many people looking for useful tools that will help them feel their best. Resources, like treatment, are available to provide guidance for those looking to make a significant change, especially for reasons like pregnancy. 

Are you ready to see real change in your life? Contingency management may be the best way for you to manage SUD. Here's what you need to know about your treatment options during pregnancy.

Contingency Management Is Used With Other Treatments

Contingency management is not typically used alone. In fact, it is often paired with treatments like therapy, counseling, and medication. Each of these components is used to treat the mental and physical components of addiction and substance abuse. Contingency management can help pregnant people by taking into account the medical needs of patients.

Often, contingency management is used with behavioral therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy. These types of therapy are used to address trauma and other issues that may be linked to substance abuse and the factors that might cause it.

Contingency Management Improves Treatment Retention

Here's the deal: people like rewards. Your treatment provider may offer positive reinforcement in the form of different rewards. When people learn to associate different types of rewards with these positive behaviors, they build different associations. During pregnancy, these rewards can be extremely motivational.

Contingency Management Is Used for Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment

In order to get rewards, the patient may need to reach certain achievements. For instance, the patient may need to get a negative drug test. This can be useful for an inpatient or outpatient treatment program that addresses a variety of addictions that are difficult to treat.

Contingency management may begin as part of your inpatient treatment, but it may remain part of your treatment plan later. If you continue to see a therapist or provider as part of an outpatient program, these rewards may still benefit your recovery.

Contingency Management May Promote Recovery Success

This type of treatment encourages patients to build positive relationships with different types of rewards. Building positive reactions and establishing a pleasure baseline will help each patient learn to make different associations than they have in the past.

Contingency management is also used to promote self-confidence and self-esteem. This can prevent relapse in the future because it provides you with a foundation of strength in your recovery.

Contingency Management Can Help Your Pregnancy

If you are looking for treatment options during pregnancy, there are many helpful options. Contingency management is just one part of an effective treatment plan. Consult with a professional to learn more about contingency management for your situation.

Contact a local mental health center, such as Family Center for Recovery, to learn more.