Impacts of Substance Use Disorder Treatment Enhancements for Youth: An Evaluation of Washington’s Substance Abuse Treatment Enhancement and Dissemination (SAT-ED) Program

This study describes outcomes of participants in Washington’s Substance Abuse Treatment Enhancement and Dissemination (SAT-ED) Program, a SAMHSA-funded program that provided enhanced treatment and recovery services for youth ages 12 to 18 with a diagnosed substance use disorder at two community-based providers between 2013 and 2016. Youth in the program received standardized assessments, evidence-based treatment services (Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach), and recovery support services. In self-reported assessment data, program participants showed substantial improvements between intake and 6-month follow-up including decreased substance use, increased confidence about resisting relapse, and improved school outcomes. Participants also showed promising improvements in administrative data relative to a matched comparison group, but due to small sample sizes, most program effects were not statistically significant. Promising findings included decreased juvenile justice involvement and increased employment rates.