Access to services in the substance abuse treatment system. Variations by facility characteristics

In view of the importance of type and intensity of services during substance abuse treatment, this chapter looks at treatment and support services that substance abuse clients have access to during treatment. Trends in services over recent years are described. Services available to clients in the current treatment system are reviewed. Several facility characteristics affecting access to services are examined. Different ways of defining access to services are discussed. Findings from the Alcohol and Drug Services Study are used to illustrate service patterns in the national substance abuse treatment system. Variations in service patterns by facility characteristics such as type of care, treatment setting, ownership, percent of facility dependence on public revenue, and level of affiliation are analyzed. The implication is that clients who enter into treatment at different types of facilities are likely to have access to certain types of services.