How Treatment Reduces the Financial Impact of Substance Abuse
It is not at all uncommon for substance abusers to believe that their addictions do not hurt anyone but themselves. Many may even admit to the damage that their substance abuse has caused to friends and family. However, what many of them do not consider is just how far reaching the damage can be. It is believed that substance abuse costs Americans hundreds of billions of dollars a year. Substance abuse treatment is the best way to lessen the financial impact of drugs and alcohol in several categories.
Healthcare Costs
ER visits and hospitalization are much more costly than addiction treatment.
Perhaps the most obvious source of financial burden from substance abuse is in healthcare. Everyone knows that substance abuse and addiction are very damaging to your health. This results in multitudes of:
- Emergency room visits
- Hospitalizations
- Doctor’s visits
- Indigent patients
Healthcare is an essential service and the increased financial burden of substance abuse is passed on to other consumers, most of whom may never abuse drugs or alcohol. While you may think that addiction treatment just adds to this cost, the fact is that treatment costs far less than hospitalization for drug overdose or a chronic liver condition caused by alcohol abuse.
Business and Lost Productivity
The largest financial impact is on businesses. According to the Oklahoman News Service, substance abuse cost employers over 200 billion dollars in 2012. The majority of this cost comes from lost production. Substance abusers that do not seek treatment frequently miss work, underperform at their duties, or injure themselves or others on the job.
Treatment for substance abuse greatly improves the attendance and productivity of recovering addicts, reducing this financial strain. If you are missing work due to substance abuse, treatment can help. Call us at 800-487-1890 (Who Answers?) today.
The Criminal Justice System
The prosecution, incarceration, investigation, and victimization costs of substance abusers costs taxpayers over 60 billion dollars, according to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. It is estimated that nearly half of all crimes committed in this country can be related to substance abuse.
Whether the crimes are committed for drugs or alcohol or while under the effects of these substances, the fact remains that substance abuse and crime go hand-in-hand. By seeking treatment, addicts and alcoholics are less likely to commit crimes, reducing the financial drain on the criminal justice system.
Money Diversion
Another way that substance abuse causes financial damage is in the diversion of money to illicit substances. Millions of dollars flow out of the country every year to support drug cartels and crime syndicates, through the purchase of illicit drugs. This means there is less money available to purchase goods, pay bills, and support families. There really is no limit to the financial impact of substance abuse.
Seeking treatment reduces the demand for these substances, and the money spent on them. This means that substance abuse treatment does reduce the monetary damages of substance abuse. If you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, treatment is the best way to end your addiction and reduce the financial damage that it causes. Call us at 800-487-1890 (Who Answers?) , and let us assist you in finding the help that you need.