A recent study, backed by the National Institutes of Health, reveals alarming challenges in accessing residential addiction treatment for U.S. adolescents.
Researchers found that merely 54% of facilities had immediate bed availability, and those on a waitlist faced an average 28-day delay. The daily treatment cost averaged $878, with 48% demanding upfront payments. A month-long stay soared over $26,000 on average.
In 2022, 2.2 million adolescents grappled with substance use disorders, 265,000 with opioid use disorders. Shockingly, only 57% of facilities accepted Medicaid, with a stark contrast between for-profits (20%) and nonprofits (80%). In 23 states, no adolescent centers accepting Medicaid were identified. Strikingly, 57% of Medicaid-accepting facilities reported waitlists, emphasizing the urgent need for reform in adolescent addiction treatment accessibility.
Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell
