By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    migraine home remedies and-devices
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    learn to recognize and treat yeast infections
    Most Commonly Asked Questions About Yeast Infections
    November 17, 2021
    Advanced lung cancer diagnosis systems used by doctors
    Advanced Lung Cancer Diagnosis Systems Used by Doctors
    March 6, 2022
    Latest News
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    July 31, 2025
    Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
    July 20, 2025
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Image
    Boomer Voice
    June 12, 2013
    The Anatomy of Health Insurance [Infographic]
    April 19, 2012
    Patient Commando Features Canadian Women Changing Healthcare
    August 23, 2013
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Eliminating Substance Abuse Would Save the Economy $740 Billion a Year
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Health care > Eliminating Substance Abuse Would Save the Economy $740 Billion a Year
Health careHealth ReformPolicy & LawPublic Health

Eliminating Substance Abuse Would Save the Economy $740 Billion a Year

Rehan Ijaz
Rehan Ijaz
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

 

Contents
What are the costs of substance-abuse to the country?Healthcare costsReduced productivityCriminal justice costsAddressing substance-abuse would significantly improve the economy

Substance abuse is a growing problem in the United States. The National Institute for Drug Abuse estimates that 23.5 million Americans over the age of 12 have suffered from substance abuse problems and needed treatment. This is over 9% of the population over the age of 12.

The prevalence of substance abuse is taking its toll on both our health and the economy. The National Institute on DrugAbuse estimates that the epidemic costs the country at least $740 billion a year.

What are the costs of substance-abuse to the country?

Substance abuse hurts the economy in a number of ways. Here are some of the biggest.

More Read

Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
Dealing With Negative Feedback on Your Hospital Social Media
How To Build A Successful Drug And Alcohol Residential Rehab Program
Why Are There Disparities In Health Care? Because It’s Free.
Healing Hands: Navigating Medical Malpractice with a Lawyer in Richmond

Healthcare costs

Substance abuse problems lead to higher healthcare costs. The nature of healthcare problems is very clearly correlated to the types of substances that people are abusing. Tobacco use costs the country about $300 billion a year. Most of this cost is incurred by a small range of healthcare problems, including lung cancer and emphysema.

Healthcare costs associated with alcohol use manifest in a number of other ways. They lead to liver damage, drunk driving accidents, nervous system disorders, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, depression and a number of other medical problems.

Some of the problems associated with alcoholism are less direct. They include healthcare costs that arise from choices people make under the influence of alcohol. People often make less prudent sexual decisions while intoxicated, which increases the national healthcare costs associated with STDs. The healthcare costs associated with these choices are more difficult to measure, because researchers can’t usually pinpoint the timing of the incident and determine whether or not alcohol or other substances were to blame. They aren’t included in the estimates of the National Institute for Drug Abuse, so the actual healthcare costs caused by substance abuse may actually be much higher.

Fortunately, there are a number of treatments that cost less and tend to be more effective. A growing number of holistic rehabilitation centers are mitigating the societal cost of substance abuse.

Reduced productivity

Substance abuse also has a negative impact on productivity. Some people show up to work under the influence of alcohol, narcotics or prescription drugs. They can’t work as effectively and risk causing property damage or injuring themselves or their coworkers.

The risks are higher when patients are recovering from a hangover or other substances that have been flushed from their system. They will have a very difficult time focusing and will work at a slower pace, which reduces the value they bring to their employer. Absenteeism is another problem when people need to take time off to recover from substance use.

Criminal justice costs

People under the influence of alcohol, illicit drugs in prescription medications are more likely to engage in criminal activity. This leads to higher costs for law-enforcement, trials, public defenders and incarcerations.

Substance abuse services have shown that four out of five jail and prison inmates abuse alcohol, prescription opiates or illegal drugs. Approximately 3 million violent crimes are committed each year by someone under the influence of alcohol. The cost also includes lost productivity and tax revenue as offenders are forced out of the workforce to be incarcerated or rehabilitated.

Addressing substance-abuse would significantly improve the economy

Substance abuse has been a serious problem in the United States since at least 1960s. If we had accurate data before that time, we would probably discover that it predates the flower power movement by many years.

How are evolving understanding of substance abuse can help address this epidemic. Costs associated with substance abuse should decline as we find better ways to treat it.

TAGGED:drug abusedrug addictionsubstance abuse
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
Health
July 31, 2025
holistic dental
Holistic Dentist Services Are Natural and Safe
Dental health Specialties
July 28, 2025
botox certification
Help Improve People’s Skin Health Via Botox Certification
Skin Specialties
July 22, 2025
Telemedicine Apps
Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
Health
July 20, 2025

You Might also Like

Can America’s Youth be a Focal Point for Bending Healthcare’s Cost Curve?

November 6, 2012

Facial Recognition Moves Into Advertising–What About Privacy?

August 21, 2011

Anavex Receives Approval to Commence Phase I Clinical Trial in Alzheimer’s Disease

March 25, 2011

Weekly Roundup: Eyeing the Solutions

October 23, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?