Calculating the Benefits and Costs Associated with SUD Recovery Programs

ABSTRACT: (Provided by Journal) Substance use disorder (SUD) is a public health crisis in the United States associated with significant economic costs including healthcare, criminal justice, productivity, and mortality and morbidity costs. In this paper, we present a tool for a customizable economic analysis that can be utilized by different recovery program owners and operators within the SUD continuum of care that considers these program’s operating and capital costs, location, size, and success rate. The goal of this tool is to provide owners and operators with an accessible tool that can estimate their individual program’s economic costs, benefits, and return on investment. In applications of the tool, we find that there are significant benefits associated with SUD recovery-oriented services, even with more conservative modeling of recovery benefits. Specifically, we find that a representative recovery housing program in Florida yields a net benefit of $143 million over 20 years with an associated return on investment of $22.19 per dollar invested. Further, we find that the net benefits of different recovery-oriented modalities including a recovery house, a recovery campus, and a residential inpatient program are positive, with returns on investment varying from nearly $22 per dollar invested to $1 per dollar.

File Type: www
Categories: Funding & Reimbursement, OUD, Overdose, Policy, PTSD, Recovery, Recovery Housing, Tobacco
Tags: economic calculator, research, ROI
Author: Ashworth M, Johnson D, Thompson R.

FAQs

How can I learn more about the resources and services that are specifically available in my local area?

We encourage all visitors to the Rural SUD Info website to also explore additional resources and services available through the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA),  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), or Rural Health Information Hub (RHIHub).

How often are the Rural SUD Info Center materials updated?

Materials are updated on a quarterly basis.

How can I contact the Rural SUD Info Center?

Visit the request assistance page. https://ruralsudinfo.org/request-assistance/

Is there an Urban SUD Resource Center?

There is not an equivalent Urban SUD Resource Center. However, all of the information and tools on this website are available to the public, regardless of location or grant status. 

What are the Rural Centers of Excellence?

The RCOEs were established in 2019 by the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP), an initiative of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that aims to reduce morbidity and mortality related to SUD in rural areas.

Myself, or someone I know, is in a crisis. What should I do?

Please call or text 988, or visit: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support/in-crisis

What is the Rural SUD Info Center?

The Rural SUD Info Center is a collection of best practices, tools, and research for rural communities building and strengthening a comprehensive approach to substance use disorder (SUD). These resources offer support to rural providers/partners, recovery specialists, rural community members, and more.

What resources are available for providers and patients?

Resources available for providers and patients include the Clearinghouse Resource Page. We also encourage visitors to fill out a technical assistance (TA) request for implementation support.

Where can I find rural providers in my area?

We encourage our visitors to use resources found throughout the Rural SUD Info
Center, along with Health
Resources & Services Administration
, Rural
Health Information Hub
, and the three RCOEs
to locate rural providers in your area.

Where can I find previous versions of toolkits?

All old versions of toolkits and resources are archived and can be retrieved through a request via the request assistance form.

Who operates the Rural SUD Info Center?

The Rural SUD Info Center is operated by the three RCORP-Rural Centers of Excellence on Substance Use Disorders, which are funded by HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy.

In Crisis? Call or Text 988