Behavior Analysis in Addiction Treatment
Substance use and addictive behaviors can be conceptualized as operant behaviors — behaviors maintained by consequences, discriminative stimuli, and reinforcement contingencies. Because addiction treatment is often multimodal, behavior analysts typically collaborate with (or integrate) cognitive-behavioral, motivational interviewing, pharmacotherapy, and other evidence-based approaches. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) explicitly acknowledges “Behavioral Treatment of Substance Use Disorders” as a relevant domain and encourages dissemination of behavior analytic work in that area.
Interested in learning more about the use of ABA in addiction treatment? See our resources below.
Key Literature & Foundational Reading
Carroll KM, Onken LS. Behavioral therapies for drug abuse. Am J Psychiatry. 2005 Aug;162(8):1452-60.
Behavioral Treatment of Substance Use Disorders is one of several ABA subspecialty fact sheets produced by the BACB in partnership with subject matter experts (SMEs).
Video Interview with Dr. Higgins
Training, Courses & Continuing Education
CDC’s “Treatment Options for Substance Use Disorders” modules- This training is designed for all health professionals. It is not specific to behavior analysis, but gives a breif overview of caring for SUD’s and treatment considerations.
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) offers training, practitioner resources, and technical assistance centers across the behavioral health/substance use domain.
Kirby, Kimberly & Dwyer, Matthew & Burrows, Connor & Upton, Caitlyn & Dickerson, Sydney & Raiff, Bethany. (2021). Specialty Training for Behavior Analysts to Work in Substance Abuse Treatment. 10.1007/978-3-030-57969-2_14.
Clinical Resources
Tuten, L. M., Jones, H. E., Schaeffer, C. M., & Stitzer, M. L. (2012). Reinforcement-based treatment for substance use disorders: A comprehensive behavioral approach. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/13088-000
Practicing in Virginia
In 2024 the Centers for Medicaire and Mediciad Services (CMS) added Licensed Behavior Analysts (LBAs) to the definition of a “Credentialed Addiction Treatment Professional,” which recognizes them as a provider type under the Addiction and Recovery Treatment Services (ARTS) benefit.
The ARTS program offers a full continuum of addiction treatment services as defined by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) found here https://www.asam.org/asam-criteria
Interested in becoming a provider? Here are the best places to start:
1. Review Pathways to Becoming an Addiction and Recovery Treatment Services (ARTS) Medicaid Provider
2. Review the ARTS provider manual, specifically chapter 2 and chapter 4
3. Send questions to sud@dmas.virginia.gov or enhancedbh@dmas.virginia.gov