Trends In Spending For Substance Abuse Treatment, 1986–2003

Since 1987, public and private investment in substance abuse (SA) treatment has not kept pace with other health spending. SA treatment spending in the United States grew from 9. 3 billion in 1986 to 20. 7 billion in 2003. The average annual total growth rate was 4. 8 percent. In comparison, total U. S. health care spending grew by 8. 0 percent. As a result of the slower growth of SA spending compared to that for all health care, SA spending fell as a share of all health spending from 2. 1 percent in 1986 to 1. 3 percent in 2003.