Hazelden Betty Ford Shares Industry-Leading Recovery Outcomes

Butler Center for Research findings show high rates of post-treatment abstinence, recovery capital, quality of life and overall health

Center City, Minnesota--(Newsfile Corp. - September 2, 2026) - The nonprofit Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, a national leader in substance use and mental health care, today released its annual patient outcomes report from the Butler Center for Researchfinding that 70% of patients reported abstinence one year after treatment, 75% achieved recovery-capital levels associated with sustained recovery, and more than 85% reported good overall health and quality of life.

The report reflects data from a randomized subset of patients treated in 2025 across Hazelden Betty Ford's national system of care, including its four largest campusesall recently recognized by Newsweek as the top treatment centers in California, Minnesota and Oregon. Several findings in the researchwhich employed a rigorous, empirical methodologyexceed commonly cited industry benchmarks, including lower return-to-use rates and higher medication adherence, underscoring the value of comprehensive behavioral health care and long-term recovery support.

"These outcomes serve as a testament to the life stories of the remarkable people who found recovery and to the power of healing in community," said Joseph Lee, MD, president and CEO of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. "Behavioral health care does not have to be transactional. Healing is not a commodity. At its best, it creates communities of people who are inspired to help others, setting in motion a flywheel of service, recovery and renewed purpose. The effects ripple outward to families, children and future generations. These findings are an affirming signal for all of us. They reflect our innate capacity to heal, grow, flourish and connect."

Among the report's key findings:

• 70% of patients, one year after treatment, reported sustained abstinence over the prior three months (higher than rates of 35% to 60% reported in other reliable research), with 37% reporting a full 12 months of continuous abstinence.
• Only 36% reported a return to substance use at six months post-treatment, lower than national rates of 50% to 60% commonly cited in addiction-treatment literature.
• 75% of patients prescribed medications for addiction treatment took them as prescribed, exceeding 50% adherence rates commonly reported nationally.
• 75% achieved recovery capital scores associated with a higher likelihood of sustained recovery, according to national benchmarks for interpreting the Brief Assessment of Recovery Capital (BARC-10).
• 86% rated their quality of life as good or better during the year following treatment, higher than U.S. adults overall.
• 85% rated their overall health as good or better during the year following treatment.

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Notably, the outcomes were achieved among a highly complex patient population. The report found that 72% of patients had multiple substance use and/or co-occurring mental health diagnoses, averaging 3.7 diagnoses per patient. More than two-thirds (68.4%) had at least one substance use disorder and at least one mental health condition.

The Butler Center's report also documented meaningful improvements in symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder during treatment. Additionally, patients who remained engaged in treatment and continuing care for longer periods generally experienced better outcomes, including higher abstinence rates and stronger recovery capital.

The findingsto be presented in detail at the Butler Center for Research's "2026 REACH Summit: Recovery in Motion" on Sept. 23support Hazelden Betty Ford's stepped-care model, which matches patients to the level of care most appropriate for their clinical needs and enables seamless movement across a continuum of services. Across levels of care, most patients successfully transitioned to less intensive treatment rather than requiring a step-up to more intensive services, an indicator of effective assessment, care planning and coordination.

"The story behind these data is that recovery is possible, even for people with highly complex clinical needs," said Quyen Ngo, PhD, executive director of the Butler Center for Research. "We use rigorous methods to understand what happens after treatment, and the results show that patients are not only reducing substance use but also improving their health, quality of life and the recovery resources needed to sustain long-term recovery."

The report reflects data from 9,555 unique patients and more than 22,000 treatment encounters across Hazelden Betty Ford programs nationwide. Following discharge, the Butler Center for Research conducts follow-up assessments at one-, three-, six-, nine-, and 12-month intervals to evaluate recovery progress and treatment effectiveness using standardized methods.

The results support Hazelden Betty Ford's approach to delivering individualized care in a healing community setting, on a standardized foundation that leads to reliable outcomes. They affirm ongoing investments in evidence-based medical and mental health services, addiction counseling and recovery resources that work together to support patients and families on their path to well-being.

John Power, who chairs the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Board of Trustees, said the report also reinforces Hazelden Betty Ford's commitment to rigorously measuring outcomes and evaluating treatment effectiveness; staying connected with patients long after treatment ends; and continuously improving care through scientific research and transparent reporting.

"The addiction treatment field needs greater transparency and accountability around outcomes. Patients, families, clinicians, referral partners and donors deserve to know what happens after treatment," Power said. "As a board, we believe measuring and sharing outcomes is essential to both trust and continuous improvement, and we hope these findings contribute to progress across the field."

The full report is available at: Patient Outcomes Study Results.

About the Butler Center for Research
The Butler Center for Research is the research and program evaluation center of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Through scientific investigation, outcomes measurement and collaboration, the Butler Center works to improve addiction treatment practices and advance recovery outcomes for individuals, families and communities.

About the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is a force of healing and hope for individuals, families and communities affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs. As the nation's leading nonprofit provider of comprehensive inpatient and outpatient addiction and mental health care for adults and youth, the Foundation operates treatment centers and telehealth services nationwide and collaborates with health care organizations across the continuum of care. Through charitable support and a commitment to innovation, the Foundation continually advances treatment, research, education, prevention and recovery support services. With roots dating to 1949 and including the 1982 founding of the Betty Ford Center, the Foundation encompasses a graduate school, publishing division, research center, advocacy initiatives, professional and medical education programs, prevention resources for schools and families, and specialized services for children growing up in families affected by addiction.

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