Overview of special sub-section on money management articles: cross-disciplinary perspectives on money management by addicts

Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2012 Jan;38(1):2-7. doi: 10.3109/00952990.2011.644366. Epub 2012 Jan 3.

Abstract

Background: How addicts manage their funds can be understood from the studies of impulsive spending, contingency management, self-reported expenditures, behavioral economics, and anthropology.

Objective: To show how these differing perspectives can provide theoretical explanations for substance abuse, they were applied to the question of when extra "windfall" funds are spent on substances of abuse. Treatment implications of these perspectives were examined.

Methods: Relevant literature was reviewed.

Results: Behavioral economics and related approaches provide the basis for money-management-based interventions targeting substance abuse, informed configuration of reinforcers to compete with substances, and therapeutically framing the choice between abstinence and substance use.

Conclusions and scientific significance: A cross-discipline consideration of how addicts manage their funds has the potential to inform and improve substance abuse treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug Users / psychology*
  • Economics, Behavioral
  • Humans
  • Substance-Related Disorders / economics*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology