A behavioral therapy that provides tangible rewards for positive behaviors such as abstinence is called?

• A. Contingency Management
• B. Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• C. Motivational Interviewing
• D. Relapse Prevention

Answer: (A)

The main concept here is reinforcement-based behavioral therapy, specifically contingency management. This approach uses tangible rewards to increase abstinent or other desired behaviors. Clients earn incentives for verified abstinence, often shown by objective tests like negative drug screens. The rewards act as immediate positive consequences that strengthen the behavior, leveraging operant conditioning to promote and maintain sobriety. Escalating or escalating-toward rewards are common to sustain motivation and reduce relapse risk.

This differs from other therapies that focus on skills or motivation rather than external rewards: dialectical behavior therapy centers on emotion regulation and distress tolerance; motivational interviewing aims to resolve ambivalence and build intrinsic motivation; relapse prevention is a cognitive-behavioral plan to navigate triggers and high-risk situations after treatment.