Faculty Directory › UConn Health

Sheila M. Alessi, PhD

Associate Professor, Psychiatry


Academic Office Location: Calhoun Cardiology Center - Behavioral Health UConn Health 263 Farmington Avenue Farmington, CT 06030-3944
Phone:	860-679-1849
Fax:	860-679-1312
Website(s):	Contingency Management Research Group

Overview
Education & Training
Committees & Organizations
Publications
Presentations

Sheila M. Alessi, Ph.D.

I am a research psychologist dedicated to developing, refining, and evaluating ways to improve substance use disorder treatment, with my interests extending to behavioral health more generally. My research largely focuses on contingency management therapy (a.k.a., motivational incentives), which is grounded in behavioral economics and involves arranging conditions to incentivize pro-health decision-making. I am particularly interested in using mobile technologies to help get effective treatment and support to individuals where and when needed.

Among my ongoing projects, one I am particularly excited about is in collaboration with researchers at UMASS Medical Center and Q2i, a Boston-based software company in the healthcare space.

Reward-based digital technology to link and support patients in opioid use disorder treatment after an ED visit

I am also co-PI for an NIAAA-funded NRSA T32 training grant. We are actively seeking trainees. If you may be interested, please feel free to contact me at salessi@uchc.edu.

Education

Degree	Institution	Major
BA	University of New Hampshire	Psychology, Pre-med Track
MA	Wayne State University	Biopsychology
PhD	Wayne State University	Biopsychology

Degree

Institution

Major

University of New Hampshire

Psychology, Pre-med Track

Wayne State University

Biopsychology

PhD

Wayne State University

Biopsychology

Post-Graduate Training

Training	Institution	Specialty
Professional Training	University of Massachusettes	University of Massachusettes Medical School’s Basic Skills for Working with Smokers Online Course
Professional Training	University of Massachusetts Medical School	University of Massachusetts Medical School’s “Addressing Depression and Anxiety in Tobacco Treatment"
Postdoctoral	University of Vermont	NIDA Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Training

Institution

Specialty

Professional Training

University of Massachusettes

University of Massachusettes Medical School’s Basic Skills for Working with Smokers Online Course

Professional Training

University of Massachusetts Medical School

University of Massachusetts Medical School’s “Addressing Depression and Anxiety in Tobacco Treatment"

Postdoctoral

University of Vermont

NIDA Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Name & Description	Category	Role	Type	Scope	Start Year	End Year
Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology	Editorial Board	Editorial Board member	External	International	2020
American Psychological Association	Professional/Scientific Organization	Member	External	International	2019
Scientific Review Committee, Human Subjects Protection Program	Research Committee	Member	UConn Health	Local	2019
Undergraduate Medical Education-Graduate Medical Education (UME-GME) Retreat Taskforce	Advisory Committee	Member	UConn Health	Local	2019
NIH Center for Scientific Review; Risk, Prevention and Health Behavior (RPHB) Integrated Review Group; Special Emphasis Panel – Ad hoc reviewer	Study Section	Member	External	National	2019	2019
NIH/NCCIH BRIM-2 and HEAL initiatives meetings, ad hoc reviewer.	Study Section	Member	External	National	2019	2019
NIH/CSR IPTA and NIDCR meetings, ad hoc reviewer	Study Section	Member	External	National	2019	2019
Alcohol Research Center Executive Committee	Research Committee	Member	UConn Health	University	2018
Addictive Behaviors	Editorial Board	Associate Editor	External	International	2017
NIH/NIDCR ad hoc reviewer.	Study Section	Member	External	National	2016
School of Medicine Admissions Committee	Advisory Committee	Member	UConn Health	Local	2015
Psychology of Addictive Behaviors	Editorial Board	Editorial Board member	External	International	2014
Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, Chair of the Electronic Communications Committee	Professional/Scientific Journal	Chair	External	International	2014
Public Issues Council	Advisory Committee	Member	UConn Health	Regional	2014
WNPR, Where We Live, live discussion for program, “Why is it so difficult to get healthy?”, 9 a.m. and replayed at 7 p.m. Invitation extended through the Donaghue Foundation. April 14, 2010	Other	Discussant	Other	State	2010
Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco	Professional/Scientific Organization	Member	Other	International	2009
NBC 30 live interview regarding the Donaghue Foundation “Contingency management and pharmacotherapy for smoking” study on the 11:00 morning news program. January 12, 2009.	Other	Interviewee	Other	Regional	2009
Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco	Professional/Scientific Organization	Member	External	International	2009
News release regarding Contingency management and pharmacotherapy for smoking study funded by the Donaghue Foundation, November 2008.	Other		Other	Regional	2008
Cox Radio interview regarding Donaghue Foundation study, audiotaped via telephone, November 13, 2008.	Other	Interviewee	Other	Regional	2008
Fox 61 live interview regarding the Donaghue Foundation “Contingency management and pharmacotherapy for smoking” study on the morning news as a segment related to the Great American Smokeout, November 20, 2008.	Other	Interviewee	Other	Regional	2008
American Psychological Association, Division on Addictions	Professional/Scientific Organization	Member	Other	National	2005
School of Medicine Admissions Committee, Faculty Interviewer	Advisory Committee	Interviewer	UConn Health	Local	2004
Alcohol Research Center		Executive Committee Member	UConn Health	University	2002
Ad hoc reviewer Addiction; Addictive Behaviors; Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research; Behavioural Processes; BMC Public Health; Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research; Criminal Justice and Behavior; Drug and Alcohol Dependence; Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology; Health Education Research; Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis; Journal of Dual Diagnosis; Nicotine and Tobacco Research; Psychological Reports; Psychology of Addictive Behaviors; Psychopharmacology; Substance Abuse: Res	Other	Reviewer	Other	International	2002
Alcohol Research Center Steering Committee	Research Committee	Member	UConn Health	Local	2002
American Psychological Association	Professional/Scientific Organization	Member	Other	National	2000

Name & Description

Journal Articles

Examining the impact of low magnitude incentives in contingency management protocols: Non-engagement in Petry et al. 2004.
Rash, Carla J; Alessi, Sheila M; Zajac, Kristyn Journal of substance use and addiction treatment 2024 Sep;167209522
Predictors of Suicidal Ideation and Continued Substance Use Problems Among Patients Receiving Methadone Maintenance Treatment Who Have Co-Occurring Cocaine Use Disorder.
Kelly, Lourah M; Alessi, Sheila M; Rash, Carla J; Zajac, Kristyn Substance use & misuse 2024 Jan;1-11
Percentage of negative urine drug screens as a clinically meaningful endpoint for RCTs evaluating treatment for cocaine use.
Loya, Jennifer M; Babuscio, Theresa A; Nich, Charla; Alessi, Sheila M; Rash, Carla; Kiluk, Brian D Drug and alcohol dependence 2023 Jul;248109947
Mindfulness as an early intervention for hazardous alcohol use among non-treatment seeking Latine emerging adults: A mini-review.
Hospital, Michelle M; Contreras-Pérez, María Eugenia; Alessi, Sheila M; Langwerden, Robbert J; Morris, Staci Leon; Wagner, Eric F Addictive behaviors 2023 May;145107759
Most recent, modal, or median heroin purchase: Does it matter when estimating market size?
Olmstead, Todd A; Pacula, Rosalie Liccardo; Alessi, Sheila M; Scott, James Drug and alcohol dependence 2022 Oct;241109667
Deep Brain Stimulation Compared With Contingency Management for the Treatment of Cocaine Use Disorders: A Threshold and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.
Kuijper, Fiene Marie; Mahajan, Uma V; Ku, Seul; Barbosa, Daniel A N; Alessi, Sheila M; Stein, Sherman C; Kampman, Kyle M; Bentzley, Brandon S; Halpern, Casey H Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society 2022 Feb;25(2):253-262
Tobacco use patterns and clinical outcomes in the T1D exchange.
Rash, Carla J; Alessi, Sheila M; Foster, Nicole; Tamborlane, William; Van Name, Michelle A; Wagner, Julie A Journal of diabetes and its complications 2022 Feb;36(2):108128
Deep Brain Stimulation Compared With Contingency Management for the Treatment of Cocaine Use Disorders: A Threshold and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.
Kuijper, Fiene Marie; Mahajan, Uma V; Ku, Seul; Barbosa, Daniel A N; Alessi, Sheila M; Stein, Sherman C; Kampman, Kyle M; Bentzley, Brandon S; Halpern, Casey H Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society 2021 May;
Alcohol Use Disorder in the Age of Technology: A Review of Wearable Biosensors in Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment.
Davis-Martin, Rachel E; Alessi, Sheila M; Boudreaux, Edwin D Frontiers in psychiatry 2021 Jan;12642813
Correlates and predictors of suicidal ideation and substance use among adults seeking substance use treatment with varying levels of suicidality.
Kelly, Lourah M; Rash, Carla J; Alessi, Sheila M; Zajac, Kristyn Journal of substance abuse treatment 2020 Dec;119108145
Impact of 12 step mutual help groups on drug use disorder patients across six clinical trials.
Humphreys, Keith; Barreto, Nicolas B; Alessi, Sheila M; Carroll, Kathleen M; Crits-Christoph, Paul; Donovan, Dennis M; Kelly, John F; Schottenfeld, Richard S; Timko, Christine; Wagner, Todd H Drug and alcohol dependence 2020 Aug;215108213
Alcohol Use and Clinical Outcomes in Adults in the Type 1 Diabetes Exchange.
Alessi, Sheila M; Foster, Nicole C; Rash, Carla J; Van Name, Michelle A; Tamborlane, William V; Cengiz, Eda; Polsky, Sarit; Wagner, Julie Canadian journal of diabetes 2020 Aug;44(6):501-506
Reinforcing exercise to improve drug abuse treatment outcomes: A randomized controlled study in a substance use disorder outpatient treatment setting.
Alessi, Sheila M; Rash, Carla J; Pescatello, Linda S Psychology of addictive behaviors : journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors 2020 Feb;34(1):52-64
Examining implementation of contingency management in real-world settings.
Rash, Carla J; Alessi, Sheila M; Zajac, Kristyn Psychology of addictive behaviors : journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors 2020 Jan;34(1):89-98
Monitoring Alcohol Use in Heavy Drinking Soup Kitchen Attendees.
Rash, Carla J; Petry, Nancy M; Alessi, Sheila M; Barnett, Nancy P Alcohol 2019 Oct;81139-147
Objective Continuous Monitoring of Alcohol Consumption for Three Months Among Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment Outpatients.
Alessi, Sheila; Petry, Nancy; Barnett, Nancy Alcohol 2019 Jan;
A randomized trial of contingency management reinforcing attendance at treatment: Do duration and timing of reinforcement matter?
Petry, Nancy M; Alessi, Sheila M; Rash, Carla J; Barry, Danielle; Carroll, Kathleen M Journal of consulting and clinical psychology 2018 Oct;86(10):799-809
A randomized trial of contingency management for smoking cessation in the homeless.
Rash, Carla J; Petry, Nancy M; Alessi, Sheila M Psychology of addictive behaviors : journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors 2018 Feb;32141-148
Contingency management treatment for substance use disorders: How far has it come, and where does it need to go?
Petry, Nancy M; Alessi, Sheila M; Olmstead, Todd A; Rash, Carla J; Zajac, Kristyn Psychology of addictive behaviors : journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors 2017 Dec;31(8):897-906
Experiences with SCRAMx alcohol monitoring technology in 100 alcohol treatment outpatients.
Alessi, Sheila M; Barnett, Nancy P; Petry, Nancy M Drug and alcohol dependence 2017 Sep;178417-424
A randomized controlled trial of brief interventions for problem gambling in substance abuse treatment patients.
Petry, Nancy M; Rash, Carla J; Alessi, Sheila M Journal of consulting and clinical psychology 2016 Oct;84(10):874-86
Substance Abuse Treatment Patients in Housing Programs Respond to Contingency Management Interventions.
Rash, Carla J; Alessi, Sheila M; Petry, Nancy M Journal of substance abuse treatment 2016 Jul;7297-102
Treatment Satisfaction in a Randomized Clinical Trial of mHealth Smoking Abstinence Reinforcement.
Alessi, Sheila M; Rash, Carla J Journal of substance abuse treatment 2016 Jul;72103-110
The price elasticity of demand for heroin: Matched longitudinal and experimental evidence.
Olmstead, Todd A; Alessi, Sheila M; Kline, Brendan; Pacula, Rosalie Liccardo; Petry, Nancy M Journal of health economics 2015 Feb;4159-71
Reinforcing adherence to antihypertensive medications.
Petry, Nancy M; Alessi, Sheila M; Byrne, Shannon; White, William B Journal of clinical hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.) 2014 Nov;17(1):33-8
Smoking reductions and increased self-efficacy in a randomized controlled trial of smoking abstinence-contingent incentives in residential substance abuse treatment patients.
Alessi, Sheila M; Petry, Nancy M Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco 2014 Jun;16(11):1436-45
Prize contingency management for smoking cessation: a randomized trial.
Ledgerwood, David M; Arfken, Cynthia L; Petry, Nancy M; Alessi, Sheila M Drug and alcohol dependence 2014 Apr;140208-12
A randomized study of contingency management in cocaine-dependent patients with severe and persistent mental health disorders.
Petry, Nancy M; Alessi, Sheila M; Rash, Carla J Drug and alcohol dependence 2013 Jun;130(1-3):234-7
A randomized study of cellphone technology to reinforce alcohol abstinence in the natural environment.
Alessi, Sheila M; Petry, Nancy M Addiction (Abingdon, England) 2013 May;108(5):900-9
Commentary on Willemsen et al. (2013): Increasing demand for smoking cessation on a national level.
Alessi, Sheila; Ledgerwood, David M Addiction (Abingdon, England) 2013 Mar;108(3):605-6
A randomized trial adapting contingency management targets based on initial abstinence status of cocaine-dependent patients.
Petry, Nancy M; Barry, Danielle; Alessi, Sheila M; Rounsaville, Bruce J; Carroll, Kathleen M Journal of consulting and clinical psychology 2012 Apr;80(2):276-85
Contingency management delivered by community therapists in outpatient settings.
Petry, Nancy M; Alessi, Sheila M; Ledgerwood, David M Drug and alcohol dependence 2012 Apr;122(1-2):86-92
The impact of contingency management on quality of life among cocaine abusers with and without alcohol dependence.
Andrade, Leonardo F; Alessi, Sheila M; Petry, Nancy M The American journal on addictions / American Academy of Psychiatrists in Alcoholism and Addictions 2012 Jan;21(1):47-54
A randomized trial of contingency management delivered in the context of group counseling.
Petry, Nancy M; Weinstock, Jeremiah; Alessi, Sheila M Journal of consulting and clinical psychology 2011 Oct;79(5):686-96
Contingency management is efficacious and improves outcomes in cocaine patients with pretreatment marijuana use.
Alessi, Sheila M; Rash, Carla; Petry, Nancy M Drug and alcohol dependence 2011 Oct;118(1):62-7
Prize-based contingency management is efficacious in cocaine-abusing patients with and without recent gambling participation.
Petry, Nancy M; Alessi, Sheila M Journal of substance abuse treatment 2010 Oct;39(3):282-8
Psychometric properties of the contingency management competence scale.
Petry, Nancy M; Alessi, Sheila M; Ledgerwood, David M; Sierra, Sean Drug and alcohol dependence 2010 Jun;109(1-3):167-74
Group-based randomized trial of contingencies for health and abstinence in HIV patients.
Petry, Nancy M; Weinstock, Jeremiah; Alessi, Sheila M; Lewis, Marilyn W; Dieckhaus, Kevin Journal of consulting and clinical psychology 2010 Feb;78(1):89-97
Behavioral assessment of impulsivity in pathological gamblers with and without substance use disorder histories versus healthy controls.
Ledgerwood, David M; Alessi, Sheila M; Phoenix, Natalie; Petry, Nancy M Drug and alcohol dependence 2009 Nov;105(1-2):89-96
Contingency management is efficacious for cocaine abusers with prior treatment attempts.
Rash, Carla J; Alessi, Sheila M; Petry, Nancy M Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology 2008 Dec;16(6):547-54
Cocaine abusers with and without alcohol dependence respond equally well to contingency management treatments.
Rash, Carla J; Alessi, Sheila M; Petry, Nancy M Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology 2008 Aug;16(4):275-81
Contingency management reduces drug-related human immunodeficiency virus risk behaviors in cocaine-abusing methadone patients.
Hanson, Tressa; Alessi, Sheila M; Petry, Nancy M Addiction (Abingdon, England) 2008 Jul;103(7):1187-97
Contingency management for attendance to group substance abuse treatment administered by clinicians in community clinics.
Ledgerwood, David M; Alessi, Sheila M; Hanson, Tressa; Godley, Mark D; Petry, Nancy M Journal of applied behavior analysis 2008 Jan;41(4):517-26
Contingency management promotes smoking reductions in residential substance abuse patients.
Alessi, Sheila M; Petry, Nancy M; Urso, Julie Journal of applied behavior analysis 2008 Jan;41(4):617-22
Randomized trial of contingent prizes versus vouchers in cocaine-using methadone patients.
Petry, Nancy M; Alessi, Sheila M; Hanson, Tressa; Sierra, Sean Journal of consulting and clinical psychology 2007 Dec;75(6):983-91
Psychological trauma and PTSD symptoms as predictors of substance dependence treatment outcomes.
Ford, Julian D; Hawke, Josephine; Alessi, Sheila; Ledgerwood, David; Petry, Nancy Behaviour research and therapy 2007 Oct;45(10):2417-31
Low-cost contingency management in community clinics: delivering incentives partially in group therapy.
Alessi, Sheila M; Hanson, Tressa; Wieners, Mary; Petry, Nancy M Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology 2007 Jun;15(3):293-300
Contingency management improves abstinence and quality of life in cocaine abusers.
Petry, Nancy M; Alessi, Sheila M; Hanson, Tressa Journal of consulting and clinical psychology 2007 Apr;75(2):307-15
Regardless of psychiatric severity the addition of contingency management to standard treatment improves retention and drug use outcomes.
Weinstock, Jeremiah; Alessi, Sheila M; Petry, Nancy M Drug and alcohol dependence 2007 Mar;87(2-3):288-96
Contingency management treatments: Reinforcing abstinence versus adherence with goal-related activities.
Petry, Nancy M; Alessi, Sheila M; Carroll, Kathleen M; Hanson, Tressa; MacKinnon, Stephen; Rounsaville, Bruce; Sierra, Sean Journal of consulting and clinical psychology 2006 Jun;74(3):592-601
Vouchers versus prizes: contingency management treatment of substance abusers in community settings.
Petry, Nancy M; Alessi, Sheila M; Marx, Jacqueline; Austin, Mark; Tardif, Michelle Journal of consulting and clinical psychology 2005 Dec;73(6):1005-14
An experimental examination of the initial weeks of abstinence in cigarette smokers.
Alessi, Sheila M; Badger, Gary J; Higgins, Stephen T Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology 2004 Nov;12(4):276-87
The prediction of individual differences in response to D-amphetamine in healthy adults.
Alessi, S M; Greenwald, M; Johanson, C-E Behavioural pharmacology 2003 Feb;14(1):19-32
Pathological gambling severity is associated with impulsivity in a delay discounting procedure
Alessi S.M., Petry N.M. Behavioural Processes 2003 Jan;64(3):345-354

Book Chapters

Pharmacology and treatment of substance abuse: Evidence and outcome based perspectives
Barry, D., Petry, N. M., & Alessi, S. M. Cocaine. 2009 Jan;317-334
Contingency management in the treatment of substance use disorders: A science-based treatment innovation
Petry, N. M. & Alessi, S. M. Lowering costs in drug abuse treatment clinics 2007 Jan;261-279
Contingency management interventions for the treatment of substance use disorders
Alessi, S. M. & Petry, N. M. Comprehensive Handbook of Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Second Edition 2007 Jan;
Psychosocial treatments
Higgins, S. T., Alessi, S. M., & Dantona, R. L. Voucher-based incentives: A substance abuse treatment innovation 2003 Jan;61-86

Title or Abstract	Type	Sponsor/Event	Date/Year	Location
Tobacco use patterns and clinical outcomes in the T1D Exchange	Poster	American Diabetes Association's 79th Scientific Sessions	2019	San Fransisco, CA
Alcohol Use and Clinical Outcomes in the T1D Exchange	Poster	American Diabetes Association's 79th Scientific Sessions	2019	San Fransisco, CA
Monitoring and intervention of alcohol use in unemployed hazardous drinkers with alcohol breathalyzer + cellular technology	Panel Discussion	Research Society on Alcoholism annual meeting	2019	Minneapolis, Minnesota
Remembering Dr. Nancy Petry	Panel Discussion	American Pscyhological Association annual meeting	2019	Chicago, Illinois

Title or Abstract

Type

Sponsor/Event

Date/Year

Location

Tobacco use patterns and clinical outcomes in the T1D Exchange

Poster

American Diabetes Association's 79th Scientific Sessions

2019

San Fransisco, CA

Alcohol Use and Clinical Outcomes in the T1D Exchange

Poster

American Diabetes Association's 79th Scientific Sessions

2019

San Fransisco, CA

Monitoring and intervention of alcohol use in unemployed hazardous drinkers with alcohol breathalyzer + cellular technology

Panel Discussion

Research Society on Alcoholism annual meeting

2019

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Remembering Dr. Nancy Petry

Panel Discussion

American Pscyhological Association annual meeting

2019

Chicago, Illinois