Vital signs: A national study of the addiction treatment profession

Abstract

s / Drug and Alcohol Dependence 140 (2014) e169–e251 e191 Estimating capacity requirements for substance use treatment systems: Population-based approach Brian R. Rush1, J. Tremblay2, C. Fougere1 1 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada 2 Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres, Trois-Rivieres, QC, Canada Aims: Development of a needs-based planning model for substance use services and supports across Canada that aligns with the estimated needs of the populations of local health regions and yields estimates of required treatment capacities along the continuum of care. Methods: (1) Estimate the number of people in need of substance use treatment, by problem severity, within a given year by using population survey data. Estimate the probable help-seeking population based on a synthesis of the literature. Estimate the optimal trajectory of cases across several defined categories of treatment services, including SBIRT, to yield the number of people to plan for in each service setting. Conduct a gap analysis between the estimated capacity and the current capacity of substance use services at five pilot sites across Canada. Results: The model development process and gap analyses at the five pilot sites yielded fairly consistent results. Results indicate that withdrawal management services appear to be over-supplied in many regions. The current supply of low-threshold community services such as brief treatment closely reflect the model’s estimates; however, gaps appear to exist for more intensive community services such as day treatment. Significant gaps also appear to exist for residential services across Canada. Gap analysis results were corroborated by staff at the pilot sites. Results also indicate the need for more systematic SBIRT processes to engage clients in the treatment system. Conclusions: The model appears to have face value when applied to Canada as a whole; however, regional context should be taken into account when applying the model to local jurisdictions. We anticipate that the model will serve as a valuable tool for substance use treatment system planners to use in discussions and decisions about funding and resource allocation. Next steps include model adjustments using more precise regional data and incorporating the model into a larger needs assessment process. Financial support: Health Canada’s Drug Treatment Funding Program, Project no. 6559-15-2009/10350002. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.02.533 Vital signs: A national study of the addiction treatment profession Olivia Ryan1, K. Summers3, Michael S. Shafer2, Heather J. Gotham1, M. Cruz4 1 UMKC, Kansas City, MO, United States 2 Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, United States 3 University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States 4 Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamon, United