The Issue

• In 2007, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 20.8 million of the 23.2 million people needing treatment for an alcohol or illicit drug use problem did not receive treatment from a licensed facility. 
• Of the 20.8 million, only 1.3 million reported that they felt they needed treatment for their alcohol or drug use problem, including 380,000 people who knew they needed treatment but were unable to access care.
• When tailored to the needs of the individual, addiction treatment is as effective as treatments for other illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma.

The Response: Access to Recovery

• The Access to Recovery (ATR) program, announced in the 2003 State of the Union address, was launched to help expand the capacity of grassroots addiction recovery organizations, initiate a cutting-edge choice-based approach to recovery services, and increase the array of faith-based and community-based providers for clinical treatment and recovery support accessible within ATR-served regions. 
• Through competitive grants awarded primarily at the State level, ATR established grantee-operated voucher programs to help Americans recover from substance abuse and addiction. 
• ATR clients determine where they will redeem their vouchers for clinical treatment and support services. 
• The process of recovery is personal and can take many pathways: physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. With a voucher, people in need of addiction treatment and support can choose the programs and providers that will best meet their individual needs.  Increased choice protects individuals and encourages quality.

The Results

• 14 States and one Tribal organization participated in the first 3-year grant cycle ATR program by enlisting 4,947 organizations to provide clinical or recovery support services. This includes more than 1,000 community-based nonprofits and more than 1,000 faith-based nonprofits.
• In the first 3 years, the goal to serve at least 125,000 additional clients in need of services was exceeded by nearly 65%, with ATR serving more than 210,000 clients. 
• Nearly 74% of clients who were using or abusing alcohol or drugs when entering the ATR program were abstinent at discharge. This exceeds the success rate of most programs nationally, indicating a high degree of effectiveness.
• A goal of the program was to expand the substance abuse provider network in the areas where ATR services were provided. Data from States with ATR programs indicate participation by a significant number of new partners. For example, 40% of organizations redeeming vouchers in Connecticut, and 70% in Louisiana, were partnering with the State for the first time.
• Faith-based organizations were welcomed as vital partners in ATR. Nearly one third (32%) of all vouchers redeemed for ATR services were by faith-based organizations. Additionally, faith-based organizations account for 23% of recovery support and 31% of clinical treatment providers.
• In addition to addiction-related outcomes, ATR programs helped clients produce a 31.4% decrease in unemployment and a 24.2% decrease in the number of individuals with no permanent place to live. 
• At discharge, roughly 75% of ATR clients felt they had a supportive network or community, which represents a 60% decrease in the number who felt they had none when first entering the program.
• In September 2007, 24 new ATR grants were awarded to 18 States, 5 tribal organizations and the District of Columbia. To date, 1,692 organizations (65% community-based, 34% faith-based) have served more than 59,000 clients bringing the total number served by ATR to almost 270,000.

More Information

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Access to Recovery Web site
• Targeting Human Need: Substance Abuse and Recovery
• Partnerships Toward Recovery Support Compassion in Action: Expanding the Substance Abuse Treatment Paradigm: Faith-Based and Community