This study estaimtes the economic costs and benefits of residential treatment at five programs in Washington State serving publicly funded substance abuse clients.  Economic benefits were calculated using information from 6-months post discharge.  The study found that the average weekly economic cost of treatment ranged from $463 to $703 and the average per-client cost was $4,912. The average per-client total economic benefit was $21,329 and the auhors estimate the average net benefit at $16,418 or a benefits-cost ratio of 4.34:1. 

French, M.T., Salomé, H.J., & Carney, M. (2002). Using the DATCAP and ASI to estimate the costs and benefits of residential addiction treatment in the State of Washington. Social Science and Medicine, 55: 2267-2282. http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=14444783 

Authors: Michael T. French, Helena J. Salome, Molly Carney