What is the Restricted-use Data Analysis System (R-DAS)?

The R-DAS is an online analysis system that allows researchers to produce frequencies and cross-tabulations using restricted-use data files. The R-DAS provides output in the form of tables and frequencies for viewing and exporting. Advanced statistical methods are not available in the R-DAS at this time.

The R-DAS does not permit listing of individual cases and does not provide unweighted frequencies in the R-DAS codebook, nor are users able to generate unweighted frequencies (no unweighted sample sizes are provided). These limitations have been put in place to reduce the potential for disclosing confidential information.

The R-DAS provides standard errors that take into account the complex survey design. All weighted totals and point estimates are rounded to the nearest thousand and all percents and associated statistics are rounded to one decimal point. If any cell in a table contains too few unweighted cases, then the entire table is suppressed.

The R-DAS does not currently allow for the creation of composite variables (i.e., the creation of new variables using other variables), but that capability is under development. The R-DAS does allow for temporary recoding of existing continuous and categorical variables. See the SDA 3.5 help documentation for assistance with how to Temporarily Recode a Variable.

Watch the "Broadening Access to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Data with the R-DAS" webinar to learn about the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data available through the R-DAS. For more information on analyzing data with the R-DAS, consult the FAQ section on Help with the Restricted-use Data Analysis System (R-DAS).

How do I correctly calculate N-SSATS client counts and admissions using SDA?

The N-SSATS is a database of facilities, not clients or admissions. Thus, calculating client counts / admissions using one of the client counts / admissions variables might produce unexpected results. This note describes how to correctly calculate client counts and admissions for N-SSATS data.

The client counts and admissions variables are listed in the following sections of the codebook:

• Section B: Reporting Client Counts
• Hospital Inpatient Client Counts
• Residential (Non-Hospital) Client Counts
• Outpatient Client Counts
• Totals and Percentages
• (Excluding the variables that give percentages)
• Section 7: Added variables

To correctly calculate client counts or admissions, do the following:

1. Access N-SSATS within SDA.
2. Go to the "Analysis" menu (top left) and select "Comparison of means".
3. For the "Dependent" variable, specify one of the client counts or admissions variables. For example, specify T_METH for the total number of methadone clients on the reference date.
4. Specify an appropriate "Row" variable, such as STFIPS for the state.
5. Specify the "Column", "Control", and "Selection Filter(s)" variables as needed. For example, under "Selection Filter(s)", you might state "YEAR(2010), OTP(1)" to restrict analysis to the year 2010 and to facilities that operated a certified Opioid Treatment Program.
6. Set the "Main statistic to display" to "Totals (numerator of means)". This is a key step.
7. Under "Table Options" uncheck all the checkboxes.
8. Make any other adjustments to the display options that are necessary. For example, if you don't want a chart, change "Type of Chart" to "(No Chart)".
9. Click "Run the Table". The output table from this example gives the total number of methadone clients on the reference date by state in 2010 in facilities that operated a certified Opioid Treatment Program.

Are earlier years of data available for the TEDS-Discharges series?

The earliest year available for TEDS-D is the 2006 file. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has no plans for making earlier years of TEDS-D available at this time.

When will the next year of data be available for NSDUH?

The NSDUH public-use file (PUF) is typically released for the preceding year by the end of November or beginning of December.

The NSDUH Restricted-use Data Analysis (R-DAS) file is typically available one to two months following the release of the PUF.

Who is the sponsor for NSDUH?

The Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ, formerly the Office of Applied Studies), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

How do I get the TEDS-A Concatenated file?

The TEDS-A concatenated data file is now available for download. This public-use file is provided in an ASCII rectangular format with SPSS and SAS data definition statements. A SPSS System and ASCII tab-delimited files are also available. Please note that because of the size of the data file normally available Stata files and the SAS Transport s file were unable to be produced.

If you are unable to download the file in one of the available formats, SAMHDA can provide you with the file. You can obtain the entire data set or select a subset of cases and/or variables. We can make the files available to you through a special Web link where you can access them directly. This is the quickest and easiest way for you to get the data you request. However, we can send you a CD of the files as well.

Please email us the following information at samhda-support@icpsr.umich.edu

1. Data File Delimiter (choose one of the following):

   None -- the preferred delimiter for analyzing the data using SAS, SPSS, or Stata.
   Blank -- one of two delimiters for using Excel, Access, or other similar software package.
   Comma -- another delimiter for using Excel, Access, or other similar software package.

2. Type of setup file(s) (choose one or more of the following):

   SAS
   SPSS
   Stata
   DDI (XML)
   SDA (DDL)

3. Cases: Please indicate whether you desire all cases or a subset of cases. One common example of a subset would be to request only those cases for a given state. You may also request more than one filter to define a subset (e.g., males in the 12-14 year old age group). Please refer to the TEDS codebook when considering filters. Please note that some variables, such as age, are categorized and therefore only allow for certain specific age ranges.

4. Variables: Please indicate whether you desire all variables or a subset of variables. If you request a subset of variables, please refer to the TEDS codebook when choosing variables for the subset. We prefer that you make your requests using Variable Groups (e.g., CLIENT CHARACTERISTICS, SUBSTANCES OF ABUSE: ORIGINAL VARIABLES, etc.).

As soon as we get this information from you, we will begin to process your request. We will email you instructions on how to retrieve the file from the Web site.

Who is the sponsor for TEDS?

The Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ, formerly the Office of Applied Studies), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).