Automated Reinforcement Management System (ARMS)

Alcohol abuse remains a significant cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the US. Yet only 15% of those with alcohol use disorders receive treatment. Contingency Management (CM) is a cost-effective intervention for drug addiction where individuals are rewarded when they submit biological verification of drug abstinence. The researchers propose to develop an integrated CM system capable of incorporating mobile device input, that would allow them to deliver a CM intervention for problematic drinking to anyone who owns a smartphone. The mobile device input will incorporate ecological momentary assessments (EMA), geospatial mapping, and biomarker-based feedback from a portable measuring device.