A recent study, supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), sheds light on the limited access and high costs associated with residential addiction treatment centers catering to adolescents under 18 years old in the United States. Published in Health Affairs and led by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), the study highlights challenges in obtaining timely and affordable treatment for adolescents with substance use disorders, particularly opioid use disorder.Â
The study’s key findings indicate that only 54% of the contacted residential addiction treatment facilities had an immediately available bed for adolescent patients. For those with a waitlist, the average estimated time before a bed became available was 28 days. The financial burden is also significant, with an average daily treatment cost of $878. Additionally, nearly half (48%) of the facilities required partial or full payment upfront, and the quoted cost for a month’s stay averaged over $26,000.Â
Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), emphasized the critical importance of timely and evidence-based addiction treatment, stating, “The ability to access timely, evidence-based treatment for addiction can be a matter of life or death, and the current system too often fails young people.Â
In 2022, an estimated 2.2 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 had a substance use disorder, with 265,000 experiencing opioid use disorder. The study’s results underscore the urgent need for improved accessibility and affordability of care for this vulnerable population, especially considering the rise in overdose deaths among teens in recent years.Â
The study also builds upon previous research revealing that only one in four residential treatment centers for adolescents provides buprenorphine, a medication crucial for treating opioid use disorder. Residential treatment is a key component of the continuum of care for adolescents with substance use disorders, alongside outpatient, primary care, and other treatment settings.Â
To assess the accessibility and cost of residential treatment for adolescents with opioid use disorder, the OHSU researchers utilized the FindTreatment.gov database and identified 354 centers across the U.S. offering residential addiction treatment services to individuals under 18. Through inquiries about treatment availability and services for a hypothetical 16-year-old with a recent non-fatal fentanyl overdose, the study uncovered critical insights.Â
Results revealed that 41% of the residential facilities were for-profit, and 59% were nonprofit. For-profit centers were more likely to have immediate space available but at a significantly higher cost than nonprofit facilities. The average wait time for a bed in for-profit facilities was 19 days, compared to 31 days in nonprofit facilities.Â
Furthermore, the study highlighted disparities in Medicaid acceptance, with only 57% of facilities accepting Medicaid. For-profit facilities were less likely to accept Medicaid, emphasizing the need for improved coverage and accessibility. Additionally, in 23 states, no adolescent residential treatment centers accepting Medicaid were identified.Â
The findings underscore the need for systemic changes to ensure effective, affordable treatment options for adolescents with substance use disorders. The researchers stressed the importance of addressing incomplete and costly care in residential treatment facilities, calling for further research to identify strategies for expanding access to evidence-based treatment for adolescents with opioid use disorder.Â
In response to the study, Senior Author Ryan Cook, Ph.D., emphasized the need for systems-level changes to provide effective and affordable treatment options for adolescents. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is committed to expanding access to care for adolescents with substance use disorder, and initiatives are underway to strengthen mental health and substance use disorder treatment options, especially for those covered by Medicaid.Â
As the nation grapples with the opioid epidemic and the impact on adolescents, the study advocates for a comprehensive approach to address the complex challenges in accessing affordable and evidence-based addiction treatment for this vulnerable population. The findings highlight the urgency of implementing changes to ensure that adolescents in crisis can access the care they need, fostering a system that prioritizes effective and affordable treatment options.Â
News ReferenceÂ
National Institute of Health, https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/residential-addiction-treatment-adolescents-scarce-expensive. Â
