title: A literature review of cost-benefit analyses for the treatment of alcohol dependence.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to conduct a literature review of cost-benefit studies on pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy treatments of alcohol dependence (AD). A literature search was performed in multiple electronic bibliographic databases. The search identified seven psychotherapy studies from the USA and two pharmacotherapy studies from Europe. In the psychotherapy studies, major benefits are typically seen within the first six months of treatment. The benefit-cost ratio ranged from 1.89 to 39.0. Treatment with acamprosate was found to accrue a net benefit of 21,301 BEF (528 €) per patient over a 24-month period in Belgium and lifetime benefit for each patient in Spain was estimated to be Pta. 3,914,680 (23,528 €). To date, only a few studies exist that have examined the cost-benefit of psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy treatment of AD. Most of the available treatment options for AD appear to produce marked economic benefits.
authors: Social and Epidemiological Research Department, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell St., Toronto, Ontario M5S 2S1, Canada satyacamh@gmail.com
authors: Svetlana
authors: S
authors: Popova
authors: Satya
authors: S
authors: Mohapatra
authors: Jayadeep
authors: J
authors: Patra
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Duhig
authors: Jürgen
authors: J
authors: Rehm
mesh_terms: D000077443:Acamprosate; D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D001530:Belgium; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D013030:Spain; D013654:Taurine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D013654:Taurine; D000077443:Acamprosate