title: The costs and outcomes of treatment for opioid dependence associated with posttraumatic stress disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the costs and outcomes of treatment for opiate dependence associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected on the use of opiate treatment over a 12-month period for a cohort of 495 individuals, of whom 42 percent had PTSD. Total treatment costs were calculated as the sum of the time spent in each treatment modality multiplied by the appropriate unit cost. Outcome measures included occupational functioning, use of heroin and other drugs, and physical and mental health.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference was noted in the cost of treatment over the 12-month period for persons with and without PTSD (5,394+/-5,136 and 4,821+/-5,144 [Australian dollars], respectively). However, persons with PTSD had poorer treatment outcomes in terms of occupational functioning, overdose, and physical and mental health.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the same resources were invested in opiate treatment for persons with and without PTSD, PTSD continued to be associated with poorer functioning in a number of domains at 12-month follow-up. A well-designed intervention targeting both heroin dependence and PTSD may help to improve the outcomes of persons with PTSD.
authors.affiliation: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre of the University of New South Wales, Randwick, N.S.W. 2052, Australia. k.mills@unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: Katherine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: Maree
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teesson
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Shane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Darke
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shanahan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome