Economic Evaluation of Adolescent Addiction Programs: Methodologic Challenges and Recommendations

Overview

Journal J Adolesc Health

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Pediatrics

Date 2008 Nov 26

PMID 19027640

Citations 3

Authors

Jenny F Homer

Michael F Drummond

Michael T French

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This article identifies and describes several methodologic challenges encountered in economic evaluations of substance abuse interventions for adolescents. Topics include study design, the choice of perspective, the estimation of costs and outcomes, and the generalizability of results. Recommendations are offered for confronting these challenges using examples from research on adolescent substance abuse and dependency/addiction.

Citing Articles

Adolescent Residential Addiction Treatment In The US: Uneven Access, Waitlists, And High Costs.

King C, Beetham T, Smith N, Englander H, Button D, Brown P Health Aff (Millwood). 2024; 43(1):64-71.

PMID: 38190597 PMC: 11082498. DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2023.00777.

Towards standardization of economic evaluation research in the youth psychosocial care sector: A broad consultation in the Netherlands.

Evers S, Dirksen C Glob Reg Health Technol Assess. 2023; 7:117-123.

PMID: 36627969 PMC: 9677588. DOI: 10.33393/grhta.2020.2143.

Systematic review of economic evaluations of interventions for high risk young people.

Edmunds K, Ling R, Shakeshaft A, Doran C, Searles A BMC Health Serv Res. 2018; 18(1):660.

PMID: 30139384 PMC: 6108123. DOI: 10.1186/s12913-018-3450-x.

References

Freeborn D, Beaudet M, Mullooly J, Boehm R, Brenes J . Adolescent chemical dependency treatment in an HMO. HMO Pract. 1991; 5(2):44-50. View

Henggeler S, Pickrel S, Brondino M . Multisystemic treatment of substance-abusing and dependent delinquents: outcomes, treatment fidelity, and transportability. Ment Health Serv Res. 2001; 1(3):171-84. DOI: 10.1023/a:1022373813261. View

Dennis M, Scott C, Funk R, Foss M . The duration and correlates of addiction and treatment careers. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2005; 28 Suppl 1:S51-62. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2004.10.013. View

Ettner S, Huang D, Evans E, Ash D, Hardy M, Jourabchi M . Benefit-cost in the California treatment outcome project: does substance abuse treatment "pay for itself"?. Health Serv Res. 2006; 41(1):192-213. PMC: 1681530. DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2005.00466.x. View

Roebuck M, French M, McLellan A . DATStats: results from 85 studies using the Drug Abuse Treatment Cost Analysis Program. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2003; 25(1):51-7. DOI: 10.1016/s0740-5472(03)00067-9. View

Grella C, Hser Y, Joshi V . Drug treatment outcomes for adolescents with comorbid mental and substance use disorders. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2001; 189(6):384-92. DOI: 10.1097/00005053-200106000-00006. View

Godley S, Dennis M, Godley M, Funk R . Thirty-month relapse trajectory cluster groups among adolescents discharged from out-patient treatment. Addiction. 2004; 99 Suppl 2:129-39. DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2004.00860.x. View

Godley M, Godley S, Dennis M, Funk R, Passetti L . Preliminary outcomes from the assertive continuing care experiment for adolescents discharged from residential treatment. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2002; 23(1):21-32. DOI: 10.1016/s0740-5472(02)00230-1. View

Guyatt G, Haynes R, Jaeschke R, Cook D, Green L, Naylor C . Users' Guides to the Medical Literature: XXV. Evidence-based medicine: principles for applying the Users' Guides to patient care. Evidence-Based Medicine Working Group. JAMA. 2000; 284(10):1290-6. DOI: 10.1001/jama.284.10.1290. View

10.

Waldron H, Slesnick N, Brody J, Turner C, Peterson T . Treatment outcomes for adolescent substance abuse at 4- and 7-month assessments. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2001; 69(5):802-13. View

11.

Sindelar J, Jofre-Bonet M, French M, McLellan A . Cost-effectiveness analysis of addiction treatment: paradoxes of multiple outcomes. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2003; 73(1):41-50. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2003.09.002. View

12.

Liddle H, Dakof G, Parker K, Diamond G, Barrett K, Tejeda M . Multidimensional family therapy for adolescent drug abuse: results of a randomized clinical trial. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2001; 27(4):651-88. DOI: 10.1081/ada-100107661. View

13.

Kirby K, Dugosh K, Benishek L, Harrington V . The Significant Other Checklist: measuring the problems experienced by family members of drug users. Addict Behav. 2004; 30(1):29-47. DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2004.04.010. View

14.

French M, Roebuck M, Dennis M, Diamond G, Godley S, Tims F . The economic cost of outpatient marijuana treatment for adolescents: findings from a multi-site field experiment. Addiction. 2002; 97 Suppl 1:84-97. DOI: 10.1046/j.1360-0443.97.s01.4.x. View

15.

Liddle H . Family-based therapies for adolescent alcohol and drug use: research contributions and future research needs. Addiction. 2004; 99 Suppl 2:76-92. DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2004.00856.x. View

16.

French M, Roebuck M, Dennis M, Godley S, Liddle H, Tims F . Outpatient marijuana treatment for adolescents. Economic evaluation of a multisite field experiment. Eval Rev. 2003; 27(4):421-59. DOI: 10.1177/0193841X03254349. View

17.

Balsa A, Homer J, French M, Weisner C . Substance use, education, employment, and criminal activity outcomes of adolescents in outpatient chemical dependency programs. J Behav Health Serv Res. 2007; 36(1):75-95. PMC: 2999466. DOI: 10.1007/s11414-007-9095-x. View

18.

Gil A, Wagner E, Tubman J . Culturally sensitive substance abuse intervention for Hispanic and African American adolescents: empirical examples from the Alcohol Treatment Targeting Adolescents in Need (ATTAIN) Project. Addiction. 2004; 99 Suppl 2:140-50. DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2004.00861.x. View

19.

Mark D, Hlatky M, Califf R, Naylor C, Lee K, Armstrong P . Cost effectiveness of thrombolytic therapy with tissue plasminogen activator as compared with streptokinase for acute myocardial infarction. N Engl J Med. 1995; 332(21):1418-24. DOI: 10.1056/NEJM199505253322106. View

20.

Waldron H, Kaminer Y . On the learning curve: the emerging evidence supporting cognitive-behavioral therapies for adolescent substance abuse. Addiction. 2004; 99 Suppl 2:93-105. PMC: 1781376. DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2004.00857.x. View