DATStats: results from 85 studies using the Drug Abuse Treatment Cost Analysis Program

Area of Science:

• Health Economics
• Substance Abuse Treatment
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• The Drug Abuse Treatment Cost Analysis Program (DATCAP) was established in the early 1990s.
• Accurate cost data is crucial for addiction researchers, administrators, and policymakers.
• Understanding economic costs aids in resource allocation and treatment evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present summary results from 85 DATCAP analyses conducted over the last decade.
• To provide normalized cost measures and client caseload information for various addiction treatment modalities.
• To detail the distribution of economic costs across different resource categories for each treatment type.

Main Methods:

• Grouped 85 DATCAP analyses into 9 distinct treatment modalities.
• Normalized cost measures to 2001 US dollars for consistent comparison.
• Analyzed cost distribution across 6 resource categories (e.g., labor, facilities).

Main Results:

• Average weekly economic cost per client ranged from $82 (outpatient drug court) to $1,138 (adolescent residential treatment).
• Labor represented the largest cost component, accounting for 48% to 88% of total economic costs across all modalities.
• Significant variations in cost and resource utilization were observed among different treatment modalities.

Conclusions:

• DATCAP provides valuable cost estimates and resource insights for diverse addiction treatment interventions.
• Findings support evidence-based decision-making for addiction treatment program funding and administration.
• The study highlights the substantial economic impact and resource intensity of substance abuse interventions.