A research agenda for economic evaluation of substance abuse services

J Subst Abuse Treat. 2005 Sep;29(2):125-37. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2005.05.009.

Abstract

Economic analyses of substance abuse interventions play a critical role in informing the decision makers involved in funding these programs. Despite the emergence of new and more effective interventions, the adoption of costlier services still demands justification based on economic evidence. Updated and more rigorous economic information allows patients, health care professionals, insurance companies, policymakers, and others to allocate scarce resources more efficiently. To prepare for the next wave of addiction health services research, this article presents background information on the economics of addiction health services, reviews recent empirical and methodological contributions, and provides 15 research recommendations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Costs and Cost Analysis
  • Health Services / economics*
  • Health Services Research*
  • Humans
  • Program Evaluation*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / economics
  • Substance-Related Disorders / therapy*