Practical Benefit‐Cost Analysis for Alcoholism Programs

Abstract
Benefit‐cost analysis is an economic evaluation methodology which can readily be applied to the analysis of small individual alcoholism programs as well as to large alcoholism service delivery systems. Computational examples are given using information routinely collected at intake and follow‐up by the Oklahoma management information system. Only minor modifications are required for programs using NIAAA's National Alcoholism Program Information System (NAPIS). Suggestions are made for improving the validity of the benefit estimates. The potential information gain through the use of benefit‐cost analysis is demonstrated in worked examples.