Patient-Selected Goals and Activities for Incentive Reinforcement

Specific Goals	Activities	Verification Methods
Further education	Obtain information about classes, programs Complete financial aid forms	Call from office, brochures Completed applications
Get a job	Work on resume, arrange for references Make and keep an appointment with a job counselor Go to job interviews	Printed resume, call from office Signed business card, paperwork Business cards of interviewers
Engage in volunteer work	Obtain information about volunteer opportunities Volunteer	Brochures Signed, dated form
Improve parenting performance	Straighten out legal problems with respect to children Take children on outings	Letters, business cards, proof of support payment Receipts, programs, party favors
Get medical checkups and care	Make doctor, dentist, eye appointments Get needed information from doctor (prescription refill, test results, etc.)	Call from office, give appointment date Call from office, receipts, printed brochures
Improve nutrition	Go to dietitian or nutritionist Go grocery shopping	Business card, written information Receipt
Obtain sober housing	Meet with housing counselor Find appropriate apartments in newspaper Look at apartments	Forms, business cards Circled ads List of pros, cons, prices
Manage time	Be on time for appointments with counselor, groups	Counselor’s certification
Increase commitment to treatment	List treatment goals	Completed lists
Put finances in order	Clear up bank statement, pay bills	Paperwork, receipts
Affiliate with a 12-step fellowship	Obtain information about particiption Attend a minimum number of meetings	Pamphlet, info, counselor confirms with AA leaders Signed, dated pamphlets
Keep a recovery journal	Complete worksheets in recovery books	Completed worksheets

Source: Adapted from Petry et al., Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 2001.