Cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis of drug abuse treatment services

Abstract

The foundations of cost-benefit analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis (CB/CEA) for drug abuse treatment are developed. An economic model of addict choice and drug markets is presented. This model is synthesized with the current "cost of illness" methods used to measure the burden of the disease to society. The problem of doing cost-effectiveness studies in the presence of large nonhealth benefits is examined, and guidance is offered to clinical studies with a cost-effectiveness component or to stand-alone cost-effectiveness studies. References and an extensive bibliography on drug abuse treatment-related CB/CEA studies are appended.