SA-7 Data Details

The Treatment Episodes Data Set (TEDS) data are not based on a statistical data collection system. TEDS data are continuously submitted to SAMHSA by states from their administrative data systems. The states collect data from substance abuse treatment providers, primarily from publicly-funded treatment programs. Each state uses its own form for collecting information on substance abuse admissions. When data are submitted to SAMHSA, data are matched to the core variables contained in TEDS. There is a considerable time lag between the date of admission and when SAMHSA receives data from each state. TEDS data are limited to information on admissions for persons aged 12 and older. Thus, for example, an individual admitted to treatment twice within a calendar year would be counted as two admissions. TEDS does not include all admissions to substance abuse treatment. It includes facilities that are licensed or certified by the state substance abuse agency to provide substance abuse treatment (or are administratively tracked for other reasons). In general, facilities reporting TEDS data are those that receive state alcohol and/or drug agency funds (including Federal Block Grant funds) for the provision of alcohol and/or drug treatment services. A description of TEDS has been published by SAMHSA.