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
    stress management for healthcare workers
    3 Tips For Healthcare Professionals: How To Stay Beautiful, Healthy, and Happy
    November 2, 2021
    importance of relaxing on the weekend for your health
    Importance of Relaxing During the Weekend for Optimal Health
    March 25, 2022
    LASIK Eye Surgery
    What Is LASIK Eye Surgery?
    May 16, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 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
    vaccinations
    Vaccines Matter: A Public Health Rant
    February 4, 2015
    Dartmouth: Risk Adjustment Doesn’t Work
    February 22, 2013
    Bacteriophages: A Ray of Hope in the Fight against Antibacterial Resistance?
    September 29, 2015
    Latest News
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Healthcare Costs Involved in Treating Drug Addiction
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 > Business > Finance > Healthcare Costs Involved in Treating Drug Addiction
BusinessFinanceGlobal HealthcareHome HealthHospital AdministrationMedical InnovationsNewsPublic HealthWellness

Healthcare Costs Involved in Treating Drug Addiction

viabrain
Last updated: March 31, 2016 4:27 pm
viabrain
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

What is Addiction Costing You?

Contents
The Cost of RecoveryThe Cost of IllnessThe Cost of Lost Trust

Drug abuse costs our nation almost $500B a year. The type of expenses range from the obvious to the surprising to the gross. Among the more expected expenses are:

What is Addiction Costing You?

Drug abuse costs our nation almost $500B a year. The type of expenses range from the obvious to the surprising to the gross. Among the more expected expenses are:

More Read

chronic pain
4 Important Lifestyle Changes to Manage Chronic Pain
Content Marketing: The New Frontier in Hospital Marketing
Watch Four Health Startups Build Their Businesses on WSJ’s Reality TV-Style “Startup of the Year”
Beyond the Buzz: Key Trends in Healthcare Social Media
How to Succeed in Social Media Marketing in Healthcare
  • Prison
  • Rehab
  • Loss of productivity

In a sense, the true costs are incalculable. How do we calculate the cost of incompetence in the public and private sector? How many people are late to work due to one drug-related accident? How many of those people will be fired as a result of being late one too many times?

How many families are left without an income earner? How many children are left without reliable parents, and have to be relocated into foster care? Like the butterfly effect, one drug user incurs costs on society that go well beyond the dollars and cents.

But the real question has nothing to do with society as a whole. It is about the cost to you and your family. How much is addiction costing you? Here are some possible costs you may not have considered:

The Cost of Recovery

Recovery from addiction is a lot like open-heart surgery. It is the cure for a very serious problem. But it is not without its costs. The money is just one part of the equation, most of which is covered by insurance for those who have it. For those who don’t, it is a serious medical expense for which there is almost certainly no budget.

Even if the addiction is to prescription medication as opposed to something illicit, medical treatment may still be required, as in the case of Suboxone. According to the information on this page:

A person should not try to discontinue the drug alone due to the potential withdrawal effects and other unforeseen medical issues that may arise, such as increased physical pain that was controlled by using the drug. Physicians are best equipped to handle these issues.

If you are already addicted to a drug or alcohol, treatment is the best outcome. But before taking your first taste, be sure to add the cost of treatment.

The Cost of Illness

Recovery is just one of the many costs of illness (COI). Experts have this to say about the matter:

The method for determining the costs associated with alcohol addiction is a metric known as the Cost of Illness (COI). The COI includes the costs of healthcare services as well as loss of productivity from illness or injury, and other expenses or loss of resources as a result of an injury or health condition.

It is easy to forget that the addictive substance of choice tends to be quite expensive. If it is an illicit, highly addictive substance, the cost of acquisition can turn the wealthy into paupers.

Then, there are the missed work days that lead to a smaller paycheck, which leads to eventual unemployment. In turn, that leads to taking out ever more risky, high-interest loans that turn your molehill of debt into a mountain.

Healthcare costs include doctor’s visits, emergency room visits, medication, and all other expenses associated with increased injuries and decreased health.

The Cost of Lost Trust

At the end of the day, one of the greatest costs of addiction is the loss of trust. Love is not enough to conquer all. Relationships cannot survive without trust. The one thing common to all addicts, regardless of the substance, is that they cannot be trusted.

Everything about them is compromised, from their financial judgement, to their performance of basic responsibilities. You wouldn’t knowingly leave your kids in the care of an addict. You wouldn’t have an addict watch the house for your while you are away. Yet you are often forced to do just that when a family member is addicted to drugs.

Trust is particularly expensive because, once lost, it is almost impossible to fully recover. That, along with cost of illness and cost of recovery, make addictive behavior among the most expensive things you can engage in.

TAGGED:cost of illnessdrug addictionrehabilitation
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025

You Might also Like

Giving Interns More Sleep is Not Making Hospitals Safer

August 9, 2011
Wellness

Should You Try CBD Oil? 

March 25, 2020
Business

Navigating The Changing Landscape Of The Medical Marijuana Industry

September 14, 2019

Physician Salaries Represent 8% of Total US Healthcare Cost

June 3, 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?