There is little research on the feasibility, outcomes and cost-effectiveness of using uniform patient placement criteria to match the type and intensity of alcoholism treatment to the individual needs of patients.
The aims of the study are: 1. To determine the outcomes of implementing the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Patient Placement Criteria in a multi-modality alcoholism treatment program. The study will compare outcomes for patients receiving the ASAM-recommended Level of Care (""""""""matches"""""""") with outcomes for patients not receiving the recommended Level of Care (""""""""mismatches""""""""). Only patients mismatched due to external constraints will be included in the study; patients self-selecting their treatment will be excluded. 2. To determine the cost-effectiveness of implementing the ASAM Patient Placement Criteria, by comparing treatment costs and outcomes for matched vs. mismatched patients. 3. To examine the long-term aspects of alcoholism treatment utilization and recovery processes using longitudinal research. It is hypothesized that specific pre-treatment and treatment process variables will predict outcomes independently of ASAM Level of Care match and continuity of care. 4. Based on these results, to develop recommendations for revising the ASAM Patient Placement Criteria. The method will be a prospective longitudinal study of 320 alcohol-dependent patients (120 matched, 200 mismatched) admitted to a multi-modality treatment program Three Levels of Care characterized by substantial numbers of mismatches will be assessed: Level III (residential rehabilitation), Level II ( intensive outpatient), and Level I (regular outpatient or aftercare). Primary outcomes assessed at 3 and 12 month follow-ups will be alcohol/drug use and consequences, employment, psychological status, legal involvement. The independent and joint effects of pretreatment and treatment process variables (e.g., psychiatric comorbidity, reimbursement mode, stage of recovery, therapeutic alliance, appropriateness of Level of Care, continuity of care, intensity of treatment, specific services ) on patient outcomes will be determined. Using treatment cost data and outcome results, a cost-effectiveness analysis of matching and mismatching at different Levels of Care will be conducted.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01AA010863-03S1
Application #
6553214
Study Section
Health Services Research Review Subcommittee (AA)
Project Start
1997-09-25
Project End
2002-08-31
Budget Start
2002-01-01
Budget End
2002-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$17,967
Indirect Cost
Name
National Development & Research Institutes
Department
Type
DUNS #
080481880
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10010
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Magura, Stephen; Staines, Graham; Kosanke, Nicole et al. (2003) Predictive validity of the ASAM Patient Placement Criteria for naturalistically matched vs. mismatched alcoholism patients. Am J Addict 12:386-97
Staines, Graham; Magura, Stephen; Rosenblum, Andrew et al. (2003) Predictors of drinking outcomes among alcoholics. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 29:203-18
Staines, Graham; Kosanke, Nicole; Magura, Stephen et al. (2003) Convergent validity of the ASAM Patient Placement Criteria using a standardized computer algorithm. J Addict Dis 22 Suppl 1:61-77
Magura, Stephen; Horgan, Constance M; Mertens, Jennifer R et al. (2002) Effects of managed care on alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 26:416-22
Kosanke, Nicole; Magura, Stephen; Staines, Graham et al. (2002) Feasibility of matching alcohol patients to ASAM levels of care. Am J Addict 11:124-34
Staines, G L; Magura, S; Foote, J et al. (2001) Polysubstance use among alcoholics. J Addict Dis 20:53-69