Recognizing the Correlation Between Drug Abuse And Healthcare Costs
Addiction of any kind can be costly for everyone involved: the person with the addiction, their family, friends, and the entire community. The NIDA estimates that substance abuse cost the United States upwards of $700 billion every year, with around $200 billion going towards healthcare alone. It is safe to say that drug abuse definitely does have an effect on the healthcare system.
The Cost of Prevention
A large portion of the healthcare system is dedicated to preventing drug and alcohol abuse and educating people on their dangers. This is done through outreach programs at hospitals and schools, training for medical professionals, and research on the causes of addiction.
The intent with spending money to prevent addiction is that it will cost less in the long run. If effective prevention means that fewer people are using drugs, then there is less money being spent on treatment and recovery.
Unfortunately, that’s not how things work, and more money in the healthcare system is being dedicated towards prevention every year.
The Cost of Treatment
Many insurance plans will cover or contribute to the cost of drug abuse treatment.
The treatment process for drug abuse can be a long one, with multiple factors affecting the outcome. It largely depends on the type of drug, the person themselves, how long they’ve been addicted, and the amount of damage the drug has done.
The NIDA suggests that treatment can help reduce health and social costs associated with drug addiction, often at amounts far more than the treatment’s cost. Things like incarceration, which costs roughly $24,000 per person per year, are noticeably costly when compared to treatment options like methadone maintenance, which costs about $4,700 per year per patient.
Treatment costs can often be covered through insurance, but it depends on the company, the plan the person has, and the treatment facility. Of course, the length of the treatment and the amount of care that is required for the person to reach recovery can also bring the cost up.
On average, the treatment costs for drug and substance abuse can be the cheapest part of the addiction, and there are many ways to help alleviate fees. Research groups and non-profits, when they are an option, tend to take a large portion of the burden of treatment costs from the patient and the healthcare system.
Federal Costs
The Drug Enforcement Administration is the federal group that monitors the legal aspects of drug abuse. They are one of many organizations dedicated to combating drug and substance abuse. The concept of a “war on drugs” can affect healthcare costs simply by giving the medical community an idea of the reach drugs currently have.
Many federal groups do research on addiction, how it develops, the damage it does, and how to treat it. As a result, new information is made available and the healthcare system adapts in order to be as prepared as possible. As research and the information that comes from it costs money, the total price of drug abuse for the healthcare system is constantly fluctuating.
If you or a loved one has an addiction, please know that help is available. Contact us through our website or call us at 800-481-6320Who Answers? for more information and the chance to talk with one of our caring specialists.
During difficult economic times people often find themselves trying to find an effective drug or alcohol treatment center but simply cannot afford it. If you or a loved one has an alcohol or drug problem and wish to receive help there are several options that cost little or nothing at all. Many private residential facilities….
The emotional effects of drug addiction run far deeper than any physical effect every could leaving both the addict and their loved ones feeling angry, worried, frustrated, sad and most of all completely empty inside. When an individual relies on drugs to forget the past or to prevent feelings in the present, the result is….
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, as of 2010, an estimated 2.7 percent of American adults reportedly use prescription drugs for recreational purposes. While prescription abuse has been around for a long time, this 2.7 percent estimate represents a 300 percent increase in rates within the last ten years alone. Prescription drug addictions….
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, most treatments have a 40 to 60 percent success rate. This is the same as most rehabs in the United States and is the same relapse rate for most chronic disease. This does not mean that you will not succeed; relapse is part of the process. Making….
Alcohol addiction can ruin a person’s life in various ways; battling alcohol addiction can be stressful to the user and to those around him. Residential rehab may be the best option for a person to learn to manage their addiction, and there are five reasons why they should choose inpatient alcohol rehab. About Alcohol Addiction….
While increasing rates of substance abuse continue to warrant cause for concern, the increasing rate of alcohol abuse among older adults is one of the fastest growing health problems in the United States. Alcohol abuse carries a range of health risks, both physical and psychological. These risks increase substantially for adults aged 60 and older…..
There are local rehab centers, which offer programs for the treatment of various drug and alcohol addictions as well as offering psychological counseling services. Drug and alcohol addictions are a huge challenge to try to overcome, however local rehab centers are able provide a safe, medically supervised environment for those who are struggling with addictions…..
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug addiction is a trap that many teens and young adults face. Unfortunately, with rising rates of drug use among teens and college students, it is a trap that you might have fallen into. It is difficult to know where to turn when you realize that you….
What is Dual Diagnosis? According to the US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, dual diagnosis is when a person has both a drug or alcohol problem and a mental illness. These conditions often occur together. For example, with alcohol, it is common in a dual diagnosis for the person to also….
Do you have a drinking problem? Are you ready to put this behind you once and for all? If so, checking into an alcohol treatment center may be the best decision you ever make. By doing so, you will get the help you need without any further delay. While some people understand the basics of….
Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center. Calls to any general helpline (non-facility specific 1-8XX numbers) could be forwarded to SAMHSA or a verified treatment provider. Calls are routed based on availability and geographic location.
The RehabCenters.com helpline is free, private, and confidential. There is no obligation to enter treatment. In some cases, RehabCenters.com could charge a small cost per call, to a licensed treatment center, a paid advertiser, this allows RehabCenters.com to offer free resources and information to those in need. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses.
