Improving Addiction Treatment Services: Taking Action Now

Description:
Every year, more than 23 million Americans are in need of treatment for a substance abuse disorder, but less than 10 percent of those individuals actually receive treatment. Founded in 2003, the Network for the Improvement of Addiction Treatment (NIATx) works with addiction treatment and behavioral health care organizations across the country to increase consumer access and engagement in treatment, improve consumer outcomes, and advance addiction treatment as an essential component of the health care system. Over the past year, organizations involved in NIATx have seen a 34.8 percent reduction in wait times, a 33 percent reduction in no-shows, a 21.5 percent increase in admissions, and a 22.3 percent increase in treatment continuation. These successes have been achieved by addressing what treatment providers have identified as a critical need-the need to connect with others in the field. This program will take a closer look at how NIATx generates a continuous flow of ideas through peer networking and inspires and motivates organizations to experiment and test changes in this collaborative approach.

Host:
Ivette Torres, Associate Director for Consumer Affairs, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).