California experiments with new drug addiction treatment

KFF Health News reported on an experimental Medi-Cal program that pays former meth users for clean drug tests. The article links to a study showing that "Non pharmacological interventions are effective in treating" such patients.

Interestingly, participants in this program can earn as much as $599 in a year (given as a gift card), which seems like a rather small amount in comparison to the extent of a participant's lifestyle change. However, someone in the industry explains that "The reward system in the brain is more activated with amphetamine users, so getting $10 or $20 at a time is more enticing than sitting in group therapy." Presumably, this treatment -- like many other treatments -- is only effective for those who already want to change.