A Population-Based Study on Substance Abuse Treatment for Adults with Disabilities: Access,Utilization, and Treatment Outcomes

Aims: To examine potential disparities in access to substance abuse treatment services for Medicaid-eligible adults with disabilities, and compare utilization rates and outcomes in outpatient programs. Design: Population-based multi-year cross-sectional study. Setting: State-wide examination of substance-abuse treatment, particularly outpatient. Participants: Medicaid enrollees aged 18–64. Measures: Treatment access and utilization; outcome measures of retention, completion, readmission, and abstinence derived from state treatment and Medicaid databases. Findings: Access and utilization rates for adults with disabilities were about half others' rates; treatment outcomes were generally equivalent across groups. Conclusions: Adults with disabilities are underutilizing substance abuse treatment, suggesting barriers to accessing treatment.