BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION IN DRUG COURTS:

SUCCESS USING REWARDS AND SANCTIONS

Upcoming webinar March 3, 2015, 3 pm EDTAvoiding Performance Perversity: When Incentives Lead to Deteriorating Services

Register: http://www.performwell.org

Previous webinars January 15, 2015 Reframing the Human Services to Gain Public Support for Effective Programs

Archived Recording: http://www.performwell.org/

BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION IN DRUG COURTS: SUCCESS USING REWARDS AND SANCTIONS

Moderator

Josie Alleman

Strategic

Initiatives

Consultant

Social Solutions

Dr. Doug Marlowe

Chief of Science,

Policy & Law

National Association

of Drug Court

Professionals

Presenter

Douglas B. Marlowe, J.D., Ph.D.

National Association of Drug Court

Professionals

Effective Use of

Rewards & Sanctions

Basic Terminology

Positive Reinforcement

Negative

Reinforcement

Punishment

Response Cost

REWARDSANCTION

TAKE

GIVE

Carrot and Stick

• Reduce undesirable behaviors and

increase desirable behaviors

• Positive vs. negative

reinforcement

Certainty

• Reliable detection is most influential

• Random drug testing twice per week, including weekends & holidays

• Sufficient detection windows & panels

• Community supervision

• Last supervisory burdensto be lifted

• Second chances

Celerity

• Timing is second most influential

• Interference from new behaviors

• Status hearings every 2 weeks until the case has stabilized

• Noncompliance hearings where indicated

Magnitude

MAGNITUDE OF SANCTION

Effective

ZoneCeiling

Effects

Habituation

Effects

MINIMAL MODERATE SEVERE

EF

FE

CT

IVE

NE

SS

Procedural Fairness

• Clearly communicated policies

and procedures

• Presumptive consequences

with flexible application

• Opportunity to be heard

• Respect and dignity

Target Behaviors

• Don’t expect too much

–Learned helplessness and ratio burden

• Don’t expect too little

–Habituation

• Proximal vs. distal goals

• Phase specificity

– What was once distal becomes

proximal

Treat or Punish?

Substance Dependence or Addiction

Substance Dependence or Addiction

1. Triggered binge pattern

2. Cravings or compulsions

3. Withdrawal symptoms

Treat or Punish?

Substance Dependence or Addiction

1. Triggered binge pattern

2. Cravings or compulsions

3. Withdrawal symptoms} Abstinence is a distal goal

Treat or Punish?

Substance Dependence or Addiction

1. Triggered binge pattern

2. Cravings or compulsions

3. Withdrawal symptoms

Substance Abuse

} Abstinence is a distal goal

Treat or Punish?

Substance Dependence or Addiction

1. Triggered binge pattern

2. Cravings or compulsions

3. Withdrawal symptoms

Substance Abuse

} Abstinence is a distal goal

Abstinence is a proximal goal}

Treat or Punish?

Substance Dependence or Addiction

1. Triggered binge pattern

2. Cravings or compulsions

3. Withdrawal symptoms

Substance Abuse

Collateral needs

– Dual diagnosis

– Chronic medical condition (e.g., HIV+, HCV, diabetes)

– Homelessness, chronic unemployment

} Abstinence is a distal goal

Abstinence is a proximal goal}

Treat or Punish?

Substance Dependence or Addiction

1. Triggered binge pattern

2. Cravings or compulsions

3. Withdrawal symptoms

Substance Abuse

Collateral needs

– Dual diagnosis

– Chronic medical condition (e.g., HIV+, HCV, diabetes)

– Homelessness, chronic unemployment

} Abstinence is a distal goal

Abstinence is a proximal goal}

} Regimen compliance is proximal

Treat or Punish?

Tangible Rewards

• Most important for reinforcement-

starved participants

• Fishbowl procedure or point

systems

• Symbolic rewards

Phase Regression

• An example of response cost

• Often a sign that services were

withdrawn prematurely

• Temporary regression and remedial

plan (accelerated redemption)

• Avoid the Abstinence Violation

Effect (A.V.E.)

Readings

Burdon WM et al (2001). Drug courts and contingency management. Journalof Drug Issues, 31, 73-90.

Harrell A & Roman J (2001). Reducing drug use and crime among offenders:The impact of graduated sanctions. Journal of Drug Issues, 31, 207-232.

Marlowe DB (2007). Strategies for administering rewards and sanctions. In JELessenger & GF Roper (Eds.), Drug courts: A new approach to treatment andrehabilitation (pp. 317-336). New York: Springer.

Marlowe DB (2008). Application of sanctions. In Drug Court QualityImprovement Monograph. Alexandria, VA: NDCI.

Marlowe DB & Wong CJ (2008). Contingency management in adult criminaldrug courts (pp. 334-354). In ST Higgins, K Silverman & SH Heil (Eds.),Contingency management in substance abuse treatment. New York: Guilford.

Marlowe DB (2011). Applying incentives and sanctions. In The drug courtjudicial benchbook (pp.139-157). Alexandria, VA: NDCI.

Avoiding Performance Perversity: When Incentives Lead to Deteriorating Services

Guest Speakers: Donald Moynihan and Harry Hatry

NEXT WEBINAR

March 3, 3:00-4:30pm EST

Register at www.performwell.org

21

Questions?

Dr. Doug Marlowe

Chief of Science,

Policy & Law

National Association

of Drug Court

Professionals

Presenter