Title: Residential Addiction Treatment Facilities for Adolescents Limited and Costly in the United States, Study Finds
The Bib Theorists
Access to residential addiction treatment centers for adolescents in the United States has been found to be limited and expensive, according to a new study supported by the National Institutes of Health.
The study, published in Health Affairs and backed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, revealed some concerning findings about the accessibility and cost of treatment for adolescents with opioid use disorder.
Out of the residential addiction treatment facilities contacted, only 54% had an immediately available bed, leaving many desperate families to endure an average wait time of 28 days. Moreover, the average daily cost of treatment was a staggering $878, and almost half of the facilities required upfront payment. Consequently, the average cost of a month-long stay at a residential addiction treatment facility exceeded $26,000.
The study’s lead author highlighted the need for more accessible and affordable treatment options for adolescents struggling with opioid use disorder. With an estimated 2.2 million adolescents having substance use disorders in 2022, including 265,000 with opioid use disorder, the urgency of addressing this issue cannot be overstated.
Previous research has unveiled the discouraging fact that only one in four residential treatment centers for adolescents provides buprenorphine, a vital medication for opioid use disorder. This underlines the need for improved access to evidence-based treatments.
The rise in teen overdose deaths is primarily attributed to the terrifying presence of illicit fentanyl in counterfeit pills. This dangerous trend highlights the critical importance of swift and effective treatment for young individuals battling addiction.
The study also shed light on the contrasting practices between for-profit and nonprofit treatment centers. For-profit facilities were often more likely to have available space immediately, but at a higher cost compared to nonprofit facilities. Shockingly, just over half of the treatment centers accepted Medicaid, with an even starker disparity between for-profit and nonprofit facilities.
Sadly, only seven states were found to have a facility that accepted Medicaid, had an available bed on the same day, and offered buprenorphine. This scarcity highlights the urgent need for additional treatment centers that provide comprehensive care.
For those seeking information on substance and mental health treatment programs, resources such as the National Helpline and FindTreatment.gov can provide valuable guidance. Additionally, the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institutes of Health remain committed to supporting research on drug use and addiction.
In conclusion, the study’s findings serve as a call to action, urging policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to collaborate in expanding accessible and affordable addiction treatment options for adolescents. The high costs and limited availability of residential facilities demand immediate attention to ensure that young individuals receive the care they urgently need and deserve.
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