Research Methods LaShanda McMahon University of Phoenix Formulating the Problem Statement and the Purpose Statement Over the past decade, there have been several changes in drug addiction treatment that has shown results that show reduced associated health and social costs by more than the cost of the treatments. It has been found that treatments cost much less that the alternatives, such as incarcerating people with addictions. There are many savings related to healthcare, which includes, total savings that can exceed costs with a ratio of 12 to 1. Major savings to the individual and to society also stems from fewer interpersonal conflicts; greater workplace productivity; and fewer drug-related accidents, including overdoses and deaths (Woody, M.D., 2018). Problem Statement A common misperception is detoxification cures the addiction, yet addiction is a chronic disorder requiring long term multimodal treatment (Korsmeyer et al., 2009. Long-term treatment for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders might reduce recidivism rates and lessen costs for rehabilitation. Goldstein, A. (1997). examined the benefits of long-term substance abuse and posited the benefits. Goldstein further suggested not treating addiction appropriately or at all contributes to the high costs associated with substance use in the United States. Insurance companies are reluctant to support long term substance abuse treatment; however, Weisner, Ray, Mertens, Satre and Moore (2003) noted patients receiving a minimum of six months substance treatment abstained from drug and alcohol use at least five years after treatment yet abusers of alcohol were less likely to remain sober for lengthy periods of time after treatment (Weisner et al., 2003). According to the National Drug Institute (2012), every dollar invested in substance abuse treatment yields a return of $5.50 in reduced drug-related crime, costs associated with criminal justice, and theft. Healthcare savings can exceed costs by a 12 to 1 ratio. Therefore, drug addiction treatment reduces costs associated with primary care and is less costly than incarceration. Addressing addiction also contributes to the more positive aspects of life, such as increase in work productivity, and fewer incidents related to drug use, fewer overdoses and deaths. Purpose Statement The purpose of this correlational study is to see if a relationship exists among periods of sobriety and four levels of substance abuse treatment. The research will examine substance abuse treatment throughout various levels of care:  higher levels (detox, Inpatient (IP), and Residential (RTC) and lower levels (partial hospitalization (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and routine Outpatient (OP). Current trends in substance abuse treatment provides evidence that length of treatment is inadequate contributing to more frequent relapses among substance abusers. Longer treatment options for addiction may reduce the number of relapses, reduce costs asso.

1. Research Methods
LaShanda McMahon
University of Phoenix
Formulating the Problem Statement and the Purpose Statement
Over the past decade, there have been several changes in
drug addiction treatment that has shown results that show
reduced associated health and social costs by more than the cost
of the treatments. It has been found that treatments cost much
less that the alternatives, such as incarcerating people with
addictions. There are many savings related to healthcare, which
includes, total savings that can exceed costs with a ratio of 12
to 1. Major savings to the individual and to society also stems
from fewer interpersonal conflicts; greater workplace
productivity; and fewer drug-related accidents, including
overdoses and deaths (Woody, M.D., 2018).
Problem Statement
A common misperception is detoxification cures the addiction,

2. yet addiction is a chronic disorder requiring long term
multimodal treatment (Korsmeyer et al., 2009. Long-term
treatment for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders might
reduce recidivism rates and lessen costs for rehabilitation.
Goldstein, A. (1997). examined the benefits of long-term
substance abuse and posited the benefits. Goldstein further
suggested not treating addiction appropriately or at all
contributes to the high costs associated with substance use in
the United States.
Insurance companies are reluctant to support long term
substance abuse treatment; however, Weisner, Ray, Mertens,
Satre and Moore (2003) noted patients receiving a minimum of
six months substance treatment abstained from drug and alcohol
use at least five years after treatment yet abusers of alcohol
were less likely to remain sober for lengthy periods of time
after treatment (Weisner et al., 2003).
According to the National Drug Institute (2012), every dollar
invested in substance abuse treatment yields a return of $5.50 in
reduced drug-related crime, costs associated with criminal
justice, and theft. Healthcare savings can exceed costs by a 12
to 1 ratio. Therefore, drug addiction treatment reduces costs
associated with primary care and is less costly than
incarceration. Addressing addiction also contributes to the more
positive aspects of life, such as increase in work productivity,
and fewer incidents related to drug use, fewer overdoses and
deaths.
Purpose Statement
The purpose of this correlational study is to see if a
relationship exists among periods of sobriety and four levels of
substance abuse treatment. The research will examine substance
abuse treatment throughout various levels of care: higher levels
(detox, Inpatient (IP), and Residential (RTC) and lower levels
(partial hospitalization (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and
routine Outpatient (OP). Current trends in substance abuse
treatment provides evidence that length of treatment is
inadequate contributing to more frequent relapses among

3. substance abusers. Longer treatment options for addiction may
reduce the number of relapses, reduce costs associated with
additional episodes of treatment, thereby providing health
insurance providers options in coverage. Interviews will be
conducted to gather personal information from patients and why
they feel the need for drug usage.
Research Questions
The purpose of this correlational study is to see if a relationship
exists among periods of sobriety and four levels of substance
abuse treatment. The research will examine substance abuse
treatment throughout various levels of care: higher levels
(detox, Inpatient (IP), and Residential (RTC) and lower levels
(partial hospitalization (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and
routine Outpatient (OP). Current trends in substance abuse
treatment provide evidence that length of treatment is
inadequate contributing to more frequent relapses among
substance abusers. Longer treatment options for addiction may
reduce the number of relapses; reduce costs associated with
additional episodes of treatment, thereby providing health
insurance providers options in coverage. Interviews will be
conducted to gather personal information from patients and why
they feel the need for drug usage.
RQ1: Is there a relationship between longer stays and costs
associated with those stays?
RQ2: Is there a relationship between higher levels of substance
abuse treatment and length of sobriety?
Method Selection and Justification
The chosen research method for this paper is a mixed
methodology that combines quantitative and qualitative research
in a single study. Research question RQ1 asked, determine the
relationship between levels of multimodal substance abuse
treatment and periods of sobriety? The data gathered from RQ1
will be collected by means of interviews, data from clinics and

4. research conducted by National Institute of Health (NIH). The
same survey will address RQ2, determine current trends in
substance abuse treatment provides evidence that length of
treatment is inadequate contributing to more frequent relapses
among substance abusers. The qualitative data gathered will
determine the opinions, information from insurance companies
and feelings of the research participants.
The justification to use this methodology provides philosophical
conventions to direct the gathering and analysis of information
using a combination of quantitative and qualitative styles in the
research progression. The main principle of using both
quantitative and qualitative approaches is to obtain a better
understanding of the research problems than with either
methodology alone (Burke & Onwuegbuzie, 2016).
Design Method and Justification
Although substance abuse is a growing epidemic in the
United States there is a disconnect regarding the treatment
approach for substance abuse. Perhaps there are inadequacies in
treatment plans and the length of treatment. Statistics provided
by the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality
(2015), confirm that 21.5 million individuals aged 12 and older
were diagnosed with a substance use disorder in 2014, and of
that number 80% also engaged in alcoholism. What this means
is that one out of eight people were diagnosed with a substance
use disorder and alcohol use disorder. These are two different
substance classes that warrant modified treatment plans and
increased length of treatment. Substance abuse i nationwide
issue, and global issue. In fact, the World Health Organization
(2016), disclosed that 5.4% of the global population struggle
with substance use disorder and alcoholism. Fortunately,
substance abuse and alcohol use disorders are treatable diseases
and recovery is possible; however, the outcomes vary and is
dependent on the length of treatment provided. Unfortunately,
many times the course of treatment and length of treatment are

5. determined by third parties, primarily by private insurance
companies and even some state funded health plans, such as
Medicaid. Medicare has an allotted number of days one can seek
treatment for these disorders, and the days allotted are lifetime
days and not number of days per treatment episode. For
instance, Medicare allots a total of 190 lifetime days for
treatment (Medicare, n.d.). Once the days are utilized, the
patient will then be financially responsible for future treatment
episodes, which is costly and sometimes unattainable. These
factors can negatively impact treatment and an individual’s
chance of remaining sober or even achieving sobriety. This
study will focus on long-term treatment episodes versus short-
term treatment episodes and relapse probability, and the costs
associated with treatment episodes.
The research design that will be utilized will be the quasi-
experimental design, because it is not feasible to assign random
therapy to some individuals. It does not have the time and
logistical constraints associated with true experimental designs.
Reaction to test subjects are more likely to be genuine, it’s
useful in identifying general trends, and it reduces the difficulty
and ethical concerns. Quasi-experimental reduces the time and
resources because pre-screening and randomization is not
required and threats to validity are identified and addressed in
the research design to minimize impact.
References
Burke, R., & Onwuegbuzie, J. (2016). Mixed methods research:
A research paradigm whose time has come. Educational

6. Researcher, 33(7), 14-26. doi:10.3102/0013189X033007014
Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (2015).
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2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. HHS Publication
No. SMA 15-4927, NSDUH Series H-50. Retrieved from
http://www.samhsa.gov/data/
Goldstein, A. (1997). The selfish brain: Learning from
addiction. Addiction, 92(12), 1789. Retrieved from
https://search-proquest-
com.contentproxy.phoenix.edu/docview/199681706?accountid=
134061
Korsmeyer, P. & Kranzler, H.R. (2009). Myths about addiction
and its treatments. Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol, &
Addictive Behaviors (3rd ed).Vol. 3, pp. 93. Detroit: Macmillan
References USA.
Medicare (n.d.). Your Medicare coverage: Mental health care
(inpatient). Medicare, The Official U.S. Government Site for
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mental-health-care.html
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (2012). Principles of
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https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-
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National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2017, April 24). Trends &
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7. Observatory (GHO) Data. Retrieved from
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