COSTS OF ADDICTION TREATMENT
We studied the costs of treatments for tobacco, cocaine, heroin, alcohol, marijuana, hallucinogens, amphetamine, opioid, and poly-substance use addictions. Our methodology is used to collect real resource costs alongside randomized controlled trials and is being replicated by researchers across the nation. Our studies address research gaps by developing a standardized and uniform methodology of cost estimation.
MICRO-COSTING METHODOLOGY
HOW CAN MICRO-COSTING BE USED TO EVALUATE SMOKING CESSATION AND RELAPSE PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS?
Micro-costing can improve collection of accurate data on costs and estimates of the real resource costs of interventions, targeted at underserved hard-to-reach populations, alongside clinical trials. This improves our understanding of the levels and types of resources necessary for effective implementation of smoking cessation and relapse prevention programs among low-income pregnant women.
HOW CAN WE USE MICRO-COSTING IN POLICY MAKING FOR HIV INTERVENTIONS?
Accurate estimates of real costs for standard and enhanced HIV interventions gathered through micro-costing can assist policy makers seeking to implement targeted HIV-prevention programs with scarce resources.
WHAT ARE THE COSTS OF TREATMENT FOR HEROIN ADDICTION IN 33 COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE?
We developed and applied new costing methodologies to estimate costs of opioid dependence treatment in 33 countries worldwide with major heroin problems. Our study found that in 13 countries, buprenorphine treatment could be provided for under $2,000 per patient. For all countries except United Kingdom and Singapore, incremental costs per person were below $1,000 when comparing buprenorphine to naltrexone. Understanding the cost implications of such treatments is an essential step in addressing heroin addiction worldwide.
IS IT COSTLY TO TARGET PREGNANT WOMEN WITH SUBSTANCE USE AND HIV PREVENTION PROGRAMS?Implementation of an MET-CBT program to promote drug abstinence in pregnant women is associated with modest costs. Future cost effectiveness and cost benefit analyses integrating costs with outcomes and benefits data will enable a more comprehensive understanding of the intervention in improving the care of substance abusing pregnant women.
A CHECKLIST FOR MICRO-COSTING STUDIES IN HEALTH CARE
Micro-costing is a cost estimation method that requires the collection of detailed data on resources utilized, and unit costs of those resources in order to identify actual resource use and economic costs. Standardization of the methods used to conduct, report or appraise micro-costing studies will enhance the consistency, transparency, and comparability of future micro-costing studies.
The aim of this study is to develop a checklist for the conduct, reporting, and appraisal of micro-costing studies in health care, improving the quality of these studies.