The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) provides chemical dependency (CD) treatment to low-income adults who do not qualify for Medicaid. In each of the five years subsequent to receiving CD treatment, treated clients earned more, had fewer arrests, were less likely to die, and—among those who enrolled in Medicaid—had lower medical costs when compared to similar low-income adults who did not receive treatment. Much, if not all, of the cost of providing CD treatment to this population may be offset by 1) increased earnings and the associated contributions to the state general fund, 2) reduced medical costs, and 3) reduced costs associated with fewer arrests.
