Lasting Financial Effects of Opiate Abuse

Opiate abuse can have lasting financial costs

Drug abuse and addiction come with some major money and personal costs. The most obvious costs of addiction often add up in dollars and cents. These financial effects are both immediate and long term. They can affect a person and community long after active drug use has ended.

Opiate abuse costs Australia more than $8 billion yearly. Heroin abuse alone costs the United States more than $21 billion. These costs impact users and communities alike through jobs, healthcare, and court fees. Companies find that addicted employees hurt their bottom line and their ability to grow. Individuals struggling with opiate abuse cannot perform their jobs as well as other employees. They may nod off at work, or be absent more often or contribute to on-the-job accidents. Addicted employees may lose out on bonuses, raises, or promotions because of their poor performance. Many addicts lose their jobs entirely after missing work or causing accidents. Job loss has a profound effect on a person’s finances. People often face challenges finding employment in sobriety if they have a poor work history as a result of addiction. However, quality treatment programs offer job-skills training and help recovering patients find jobs as productive and healthy workers. Providing connections and references, they connect recovering opiate users to available employers or opportunities.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says 2007 saw more than 7.3 million adults involved in the criminal justice system. Most of them were there in relation to drug crimes. Jail time leaves people unable to work or provide for families. While a criminal record affects employment options long after the charges or a completed addiction treatment. Drug crimes also cost the community at large, as prisons are expensive to run and maintain. Prisons rarely offer addiction treatment. The NIH shares that “Providing treatment is cost-effective, saving between $2 and $6 for every $1 spent on it, which in part reflects reductions in criminal behavior and re-incarceration”. Offering addiction treatment allows someone to pursue healthy lives and rewarding careers. This benefits society on both a large and small scale. Accepting addiction’s role in crime helps remove the stigma of addiction and serving time in jail for drug use. Resulting changes in public opinion will provide greater financial and personal chances for recovering opiate users.

Finding Opiate Abuse Help

If you are ready to put an end to the costs of addiction in your or a loved one’s life, call our toll-free, 24 hour helpline. We will connect you to effective resources for addiction recovery. Treatment is open to anyone. We are here to help you gain access to the resources you need for a lasting and rewarding recovery.