Evaluating and improving VA substance abuse patients ' care

The VA has implemented a nationwide evaluation pro gram to monitor process and outcome of care for substance abuse patients. This program focuses on t he changing characteristics of VA substance abuse patients and treatment se rvices and involves outcome-based evaluations of major VA substance abuse t reatment modalities. Initial findings show that VA substance abuse patients , in eluding patients with concomitant psychiatric disorders, improve subst antially from treatment intake to a 1-year follow up and that community res idential facilities are an important part of the continuum of substance abu se care. Moreover, within broad limits, there is a dose response relationsh ip between the continuity of outpatient mental health care and better I-yea r substance use and psycho social outcomes. These findings are placed into context as part of an evidence-based initiative to improve the quality of V A mental health care.