This study examines readmission and criminal recidivism outcomes for publicly funded youth substance abuse treatment clients in Washington State.   The study found that clients who completed treatment had lower readmission and recidivism rates than those who did not and that those treatment episodes longer than 90 days experienced greater effects. 

Luchansky, B., L. He, et al. (2006). Treatment readmissions and criminal recidivism in youth following participation in chemical dependency treatment. Journal of Addictive Diseases, 25(1): 87-94. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16597576 

Authors: Bill Luchansky, Lijian He, Dario Longhi, Antoinette Krupski, Kenneth D. Stark