264401 Online treatment-seeking versus treatment-entry characteristics comparison in California

Monday, October 29, 2012

Tariq Shaheed, BS , Research, California Treatment Services, Beverly Hills, CA
Adi Jaffe, MA, PhD , Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Aims: To compare a sample of online substance use disorder (SUD) treatment seekers to a sample of individuals entering treatment for a SUD in California in order to assess congruence and validity.

Methods: We obtained data on online treatment seekers using the AllAboutAddiction.com Computer Assisted Addiction Treatment Search tool (CAATS) and data on individuals entering treatment from the Treatment Episode Data Sets (TEDS). The sample populations were limited to California (CA) to ease comparison.

Results: The CAATS and TEDs (in parentheses) samples were comprised of: 405 (161,943) SUD treatment seekers 69.9% (63.9%) men with the following age distribution: 15 to 17=2.51% (10.3%), 18 to 20=10.55% (5.6%), 21 to 24=13.57% (9.9%), 25 to 29=16.08% (13.7%), 30 to 34=15.08%(11.2%), 35 to 39=11.31% (10.3%), 40 to 44=11.81% (11.4%), 45 to 49=6.03% (11.1%), 50 to 54= 7.29% (7.7%), 55 and over= 5.78% (6.3%). Comparisons of sample distributions revealed significant differences between the CAATS and TEDs samples in the following characteristics: age χ2(9,N=158153) =61.46, p < .05; gender χ2(1,N=162289) = 6.19, p < .05.; drug domain χ2(7,N= 243795) =357.73, p < .05.

Conclusions: Our findings indicate significant differences but relative congruence between treatment-seeker characteristics captured by CAATS and TEDS within certain age groups and drug domains. Further research for exploration of differences between data sources is needed, especially regarding the possibility that they indicate treatment entry resistance or barriers in specific SUD populations. The collection of additional data should also help ascertain whether online treatment seeking should be considered a viable option given population restriction.

Learning Areas:
Communication and informatics
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Other professions or practice related to public health
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
To compare a sample of online substance use disorder (SUD) treatment seekers to a sample of individuals entering treatment for a SUD in California in order to assess congruence and validity.

Keywords: Access to Care, Substance Abuse Treatment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been involved in the research related to substance use disorders for over two years. Currently I'm working on a NIH grant with California Treatment Services to assess treatment seekers’ expectation of “recovery” and SUD treatment and the change in these as they transition from seeking to participation in treatment. Also I am studying at UCLA as a post baccalaureate student while applying to Medical School.
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
All About Addiction Barriers to Treament Employment (includes retainer)

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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