Help ASAP

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 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.