Integrity House has been awarded a 1-year contract totaling $400,000 from the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) to create a pilot program to address the increasing prevalence of methamphetamine and cocaine use in New Jersey.
Through the contract funding, Integrity House will implement an evidenced-based Contingency Management protocol designed to increase treatment retention and encourage sustained recovery among those diagnosed with stimulant use disorder (StUD). Contingency Management is an innovative practice that combines motivational incentives (i.e., vouchers, goods, privileges) with psychosocial therapy and treatment. In practice, Contingency Management involves a prize or gift card upon confirmation of a positive treatment outcome. Integrity House plans to use non-monetary motivational incentives or gift cards in its Contingency Management program.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, after a 30% increase in 2020, deaths from drug overdoses rose another 15% to a new annual high of nearly 108,000 in 2021. Statewide data also indicates a dramatic increase in the use of stimulant drugs between 2016 and 2019. According to the DMHAS, cocaine use increased 142%, crack use increased 171%, and methamphetamine use increased 416% in this time period.
“While there have long been FDA-approved medical treatments available for opioid addiction, there is no FDA-approved treatment for amphetamine addiction,” said Robert J. Budsock, President and CEO of Integrity House. “Fortunately, in a number of clinical trials to date, Contingency Management has led to greater clinical outcomes, particularly among those using cocaine and methamphetamines. Through DMHAS’ funding, our Contingency Management program will provide adults affected by stimulant use disorder with an effective treatment option.”
The Contingency Management Program will be located inside the agency’s Newark-based outpatient facility at 26 Longworth Street. Anyone diagnosed with StUD can apply to the program.