 Because early abstinence achievement is associated with longer term treatment success, BDRC uses short-term behavioral contracts to help the patient achieve an initial period of abstinence, take maintenance medications regularly and as prescribed, activate the patient behaviorally, and reduce behaviors associated with HIV transmission. The accomplishment of specific, short-term behavioral goals early in treatment promotes the patients experience of therapeutic success and counters the patients belief that hisher actions will not lead to success in accomplishing goals. Short-term behavioral goals target a limited number of domains, including achieving an initial period of abstinence, increasing activities primarily vocational, social or recreational that are not related to drug use, and reducing HIV risk behaviors e.g., fostering consistent condom use, avoiding casual sexual encounters, avoiding IDU or needle or equipment sharing. BDRC teaches cognitive and behavioral strategies for promoting behavioral change, including identifying antecedents of drug use, needle sharing, and high risk sexual behaviors, and learning strategies to avoid high risk situations or cope without engaging in these behaviors. Skill building exercises e.g., regarding condom use are used within sessions to learn and practice new skills, and patients are encouraged to practice these skills outside the session in their natural environment. Based on recent findings from research in cognitive and social psychology on message framing, the treatment also emphasizes the positive consequences of behavioral change e.g., the benefits of not using drugs or of maintaining a steady relationship vs. the dangers associated with continued use or sex with multiple partners. Counselors are trained to acknowledge the patients efforts to changeeven partial accomplishments of goals are praised--rather than to focus on the patients failures, which is often perceived as criticism. Recognition of accomplishments and positively framed messages generally evoke positive affect, which is often generalized and ascribed to the behavior in question, thus resulting in greater adherence to recommendations. An emphasis on recognition of accomplishments and positively-framed advice helps patients to build self-esteem and the sense that they can change their lives for the better. 