Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

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Thursday, May 10, 2007

Length of Stay for Outpatient Discharges Completing Treatment: 2004

Increased length of stay in substance abuse treatment has been associated with improved outcomes. Data from the Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) have shown that those who completed treatment have a longer length of stay than those who left treatment for other reasons (i.e., transfer, termination by the facility, left against professional advice, incarceration, or death). TEDS is an annual compilation of data on the demographic characteristics and substance abuse problems of those admitted to substance abuse treatment, primarily at facilities that receive some public funding.

This report examines the median length of stay for outpatient clients who completed treatment in 2004.

  • Outpatient treatment completers who reported stimulants as their primary substance of abuse had the longest median length of stay (137 days)

  • The median length of stay among outpatient treatment completers in 2004 was longest among Hispanic discharges (126 days) and shortest among American Indians/Alaska Natives (84 days)

  • Clients referred to treatment through the criminal justice system had a longer median length of stay (107 days) than clients referred through other sources

READ FULL REPORT (PDF)
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