The Costs of Addiction
Everyone talks about the financial bind that addiction inflicts on families. But not nearly as many discuss the true costs of addiction on the rest of the community, even though the effects are real.
What Effects Are There?
Let’s take a look at a few.
Personal
A. Direct cost of drugs or alcohol
While the initial cost of the drugs may not be significant, as tolerance grows, so too does the cost. Before long, it will be significant. It may become significant enough for the addict to resort to stealing in order to pay for their habit. Whatever is stolen has to be added to the costs of addiction.
B. Indirect, but inevitable, costs.
There are costs other than the direct costs of addiction associated with the purchase of the product. What costs, you say. Things like DUI (driving under the influence) tickets along with accompanying legal fees and fines.
C. Cost of rehab.
Even with insurance, which is not always guaranteed, there are costs associated with rehab.
Work
A. Cost to the company through missed days
B. Cost to the individual through missed opportunities
Community
A. Goods stolen
B. Increased police protection
C. Governmental and Medical Costs
D. Increased prison costs
E. Increased insurance costs
F. Increased medical costs
There are many other costs that aren’t listed here. According to a report regarding the costs of addiction’s effect on society, the repercussions are staggering. When inflation is taken into account, the figure would be more than $200 billion.
Looking at a report by the NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) we can see the impact reflected in the chart below.
Magnitude of the Costs of Addiction
The costs of addiction and drug abuse are significant. No one is going to argue that. It’s a major issue that affects society on multiple levels. Every community is impacted — either directly or indirectly — by drug abuse and addiction, as is every family. Drugs take a huge toll on society at every level, from the junkie on the street to the people living in mansions.
Below is the chart showing some of the implications.

As you can see the effects of alcohol are even worse than the effects of illegal drugs, although if you combine illegal drugs with prescription drugs the results are different. Nonetheless, either alcohol or other drugs alone are enough to warrant serious attention. When combined with prescription drugs, the cumulative effect is more than $400 billion. That’s larger than the revenue of most companies.
And the date of this source was a study done in 1991! The situation has only worsened since then. In fact, in a recent study (2012) done by Harvard University it was found that drug abuse ranked at the top of the chart as far as concern. The chart below shows the top ten.

Substance abuse costs our nation more than $484 billion per year. That’s more than the cost of other chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Look at the chart below and see how that stacks up. (source the NIDA)

The costs of addiction are huge. When you take into account the health care, lost earnings, and costs associated with crime and accidents, the impact is enormous. It’s a burden that affects all of society — the abusers as well as those who don’t.
When You Consider the Costs of Addiction, it Can Be Depressing
But there is good news. Help is close by. Into Action Recovery Centers specializes in helping people who have experienced problems with alcoholism or drug abuse. We have a medically trained staff on hand twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
And we understand the problems of both the addict and the affected family. We can not only help with the costs of addiction, we will help get rid of the addiction. Give us a call.

Fill out a confidential inquiry form, and our knowledgeable staff with get back to you or call to arrange a confidential consultation: (844) 694–3576