SearchThe annual cost of addictions can be overwhelming for families and those around them. In fact, these costs are not only financial, but also personal. When it comes to substance abuse, your friendships and professional lives are affected, as well as your pockets.
According to U.S. News, the annual economic impact of the misuse of prescription drugs, illicit drugs, and alcohol is over $442 billion. However, there are many others costs substance abuse takes on society.
Personal Annual Cost of Addictions
Impact on Relationships
Many people who abuse drugs and alcohol will begin to withdraw from their friends and family. Moreover, they begin to feel guilt and shame about their substance abuse. These feelings lead them away from their loved ones.
For example, they will begin to lie about their drug use, lose interest in hobbies, and miss family events and social gatherings.
Impact on Work and School
The annual cost of addictions has a major impact on your personal and professional life. Therefore, you may begin to miss school or work. Furthermore, your productivity will go down as you begin to focus solely on drug abuse. This may cause a drop in grades or performance in a work setting.
The National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) estimates that drug abuse accounts for $49 billion a year in reduced work days, $48 billion in incarceration expenses, and $4 billion due to premature deaths.
Health Concerns
The most common change a person will see through addiction is their health. In fact, those suffering from substance abuse will have a higher likelihood of contracting HIV/AIDS, vitamin deficiencies, and the possibility of overdose and death.
Addiction and substance abuse also raise the amount of emergency room visits and hospitalizations due to symptoms and complications. The NDIC estimates that emergency room visits due to drug abuse cost upwards of $151 million each year. In addition, hospitalizations cost an additional $5.5 million.
Financial Burdens of Addiction
Drug addiction can completely take control of your life. Therefore, each and every moment will revolve around getting the drug of your choice. However, drugs are very expensive, whether bought on the street or through a prescription.
In fact, there’s a reason why addiction is often associated with poverty. Recent SAMHSA reports suggest that hardcore drug addictions can easily cost at least half of a person’s income at poverty level. Moreover, a pack of cigarettes a day can cost up to 10% of a families total monthly income at the poverty level.
According to recent estimates, your annual cost of addictions will be determined by the drug in which you abuse. For example, a marijuana user conservatively spends over $1,000 a year on the drug. A meth user spends over $4,000 a year, while a cocaine or heroin addiction can cost over $10,000 a year.
Overcome Addiction At Silver Pines
As you can see, the annual cost of addictions can be devastating for you and your family. However, with proper treatment, you can make substance abuse a thing of the past. At Silver Pines, we’ll help you develop coping skills and relapse prevention techniques for lasting recovery. Furthermore, we offer programs for substance abuse such as:
Are you ready to overcome addiction in your life? If so, contact Silver Pines today at 267.209.7313. Reach out now to learn more about the annual cost of addictions.
