Step 9: Sample Contract for Changing Alcohol Use

A contract between John Doe and his significant other.

Every week, I will attend one Alcoholics’ Anonymous (AA) meeting AND one 50-minute psychotherapy session with a licensed therapist.

When I attend one AA meeting, my significant other will tell me they are proud of me and show me affection. 

When I attend one psychotherapy session, my significant other will allow me to choose what movie or television program we watch on two nights during the week.

When I attend one AA meeting AND one psychotherapy session during the week, my significant other will bake me my favorite cookies.

When I attend one AA meeting and one psychotherapy session per week for two consecutive weeks, my significant other will let me make plans for a date night.

When I attend one AA meeting and one psychotherapy session per week for four consecutive weeks, my significant other will purchase dinner for us at my favorite restaurant. 

If for some reason I do not attend one AA meeting or psychotherapy session, then I will (1) reschedule the meeting/session for another day of the week OR (2) make up the meeting or session during the following week.

Notice that John Doe included tangible behaviors, well-defined parameters, and gradually increasing goals and rewards. Also notice how the list explicitly states that the goals are contingent upon receipt of the rewards.

To assist you in creating a contract of your own, we’ve created a blank form that will list what rewards will occur when you meet your goal behaviors. You can create several of these with different or for different goals.

You can view, fill, and print this form after completing the checklist in the next step.