Skip Navigation

Research & Outcomes

Patient Outcomes Study Results at Ashley

Download the Research Outcomes Report


Ashley Addiction Treatment, established in 1983, has helped over 65,000 people with substance use disorders. We continue to serve our patients and the industry by being at the forefront of SUD treatment, driven by a vision of evidence-based, inclusive, and personalized care. This report highlights the research team’s efforts over the past four years in improving treatment outcomes, supported by collaborations with Johns Hopkins faculty.

What We Measured

Risk

Definition: Patterns of thoughts and
emotions that cause distress or impair
functioning
Why it’s important: Identifying patients
reporting known risk factors of relapse
and treatment attrition can help clinicians
respond in real-time
Metrics: Anxiety, depression, stress,
craving

Resilience

Definition: Mental and behavioral
flexibility that enhances the ability to
adapt and bounce back from adversity
and challenges
Why it’s important: Measuring factors
known to be protective for recovery can
help us capitalize on patient strengths
Metrics: Optimism, commitment to
sobriety, quality of life, spirituality

How We Measured


Trac9 is a data driven tool for assessing and monitoring patient outcomes in addiction treatment. This
approach uses a battery of standardized assessments that collect patient reported mental health progress with a focus on risk and resilience factors.

The system has two primary uses:
1) empowering clinicians with real-time, visual charts of
patient progress, allowing them to tailor treatments and intervene
promptly, and
2) allowing the research department to gather more
granular data to identify factors linked to long-term success,
guiding our service optimization.

Biometrics

What it is: We utilize daily activity wearables to measure momentary health metrics related to sleep and cardiovascular health so that we can better understand how factors of physiological health are related to treatment outcomes.
How it works: In 2022, patients enrolled in residential and extended care treatment were offered activity wearables worn for the duration of their stay.
Why its important: Addiction treatment often lacks objective measures to track a patient’s recovery progress. However, our program uniquely combines self-reported data with physiological monitoring, offering a comprehensive picture of a patient’s health and well-being throughout their treatment journey.

Wearable Worn Throughout Residential Treatment & Extended Care

INTAKE

Collects foundational information

TREATMENT PROGRESS

Assesses risk and resilience factors
Weekly Survey’s (Admissions + 1X/ week)

DISCHARGE

Measures patient satisfaction

POST DISCHARGE

Tracks relapse, mood, and recovery resources
Monthly Survey’s (12 surveys – 1x/ month for 12 months)

Why We Measure


Addiction treatment should prioritize personalized care, informed decision-making, and quality of life. We utilize a unique combination of patient-reported outcomes, objective biometric data and academic research to unlock personalized treatment pathways and identify new therapeutic avenues to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Academic Studies


What it is: We deploy observational studies and clinical trials that delve into key factors contributing to recovery – sleep, chronic pain, withdrawal, craving, and emotion. These investigations illuminate the intricacies and effectiveness of various treatment modalities, both established and novel, while uncovering potential subgroup patterns during the recovery journey.

How it works: Through established collaborations with faculty from Johns Hopkins and academic investigators under IRB regulations, Ashley becomes a research site where project coordinators screen and enroll eligible and willing patients.

Why its important: From these studies, Ashley receives valuable firsthand insights into novel evidence-based interventions which improve overall treatment programming.

Who We Measure

Gender

  • Male (65.99%)
  • Female (33.72%)
  • Non-Binary (0.29%)

Race

  • White (84.91%)
  • African American (9.06%)
  • Other (3.97%)
  • Asian (1.45%)
  • Native American/ Pacific Islander (0.55%)

Drug of Choice

  • Alcohol (68.72%)
  • Opioids (7.98%)
  • Cocaine (6.35%)
  • Marijuana (6.35%)
  • Heroin (4.33%)
  • Benzodiazepines (2.61%)
  • Methamphetamine (2.02%)
  • Stimulants (1.63%)

What We Found


In addition to clinical outcomes, standardized measurement of patient satisfaction is crucial for optimizing our treatment environment, as research suggests significant positive relationship between satisfaction, treatment retention and outcomes.

95.2% patients would
recommend Ashley to a friend
or family member suffering from
substance use disorder

and

96.5% patients felt that they
had received tools necessary for
recovery goals

Our inpatient treatment program demonstrates a significant positive effect on known risk factors
for recovery in patients with substance use disorders. Notably, depression and craving showed the
greatest improvement. However, the changes in anxiety symptoms were relatively modest, averaging
around 15%.
Anxiety symptoms may improve more slowly than other factors, and these results highlight the
importance of monitoring these symptoms longer-term and the need for therapeutic tactics
which target symptoms of anxiety within our existing treatment model.

Complete Abstinence

3 MONTHS

Primary Alcohol – 77.72%

Primary Drug – 79.35%

6 MONTHS

Primary Alcohol – 71.83%

Primary Drug – 71.05%

At both 3 and 6 months following discharge, a substantial number of patients
with alcohol and other substance use disorders report maintaining complete abstinence.

To learn more about Ashley’s research programs, recent publications, and outcomes studies please contact us through the form below.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.