Treatment does not need to be voluntary to be effective. Strong motivation can facilitate the treatment process. Sanctions or incentives related to family, employment, or the criminal justice system can significantly increase treatment entry and retention rates and the success of drug treatment interventions. It is important to use rewards and sanctions to encourage pro-social behavior and treatment progress. Research has shown that using rewards to recognize progress is the most effective way to change behavior. Rewards can take many forms, including certificates of achievement or verbal praise from an authority figure such as a judge. Establishing an attitude of “catching people doing things right” creates a positive environment for fostering and maintaining behavior change.
When sanctions are used, it is important for offenders to perceive them as consistent, predictable, and fair. Sanctions should increase in severity as the behavior escalates. Most importantly, treatment is not a sanction but a service designed to help the offender build a meaningful and productive life in the community.