Substance Abuse and Addiction: The Cost to America

The cost of substance abuse and drug addiction in the United States is staggering. As the nation considers the enormous cost of health care in America, we must also consider the costs of treating a variety of chronic health conditions as well as the prevention of those conditions. The prevention of chronic health issues, such as substance abuse and drug addiction, is one way to lower costs of health care over time.

Substance abuse and drug addiction is an epidemic that impacts the entire society in a variety of ways, including the cost of treatment. Every person in society is affected either directly or indirectly by substance abuse. In 2007, a study by the National Household Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 114 million Americans over the age of twelve (46% of the U.S. population) reported illicit drug use at least once in their life.

In order to consider the entire cost of substance abuse and drug addiction, several factors need to be analyzed. The cost to the health care system and the cost to the criminal justice system as well as the consequences to the individual and to society are all important factors to consider when analyzing the impact of substance abuse on America.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse states the approximate cost of substance abuse exceeds $484 billion each year! Substance Abuse encompasses the use of tobacco ($138 billion per year,) illegal drugs ($161 billion per year,) and alcohol ($185 billion per year.) These costs rival two other prevalent and chronic health conditions: diabetes costs $131.7 billion per year and cancer costs $171.6 billion per year. These numbers are staggering and the toll to our health care system due to drug abuse can be easily understood via this comparison. In 2006, 1.7 million emergency room visits were associated with drug abuse.

The impact of substance abuse on Cancer and Heart Disease

Many major medical conditions can be linked directly to substance abuse. Between 11 and 30% of all cancer deaths can be attributed to tobacco use. Tobacco is also listed by the NIDA as being responsible for 30% of all heart disease deaths annually. Heart disease is also linked to cocaine, ecstasy, steroids and amphetamines.

The impact of substance abuse on AIDS and Hepatitis C

In 2000, 11,635 cases of AIDS reported in the United States were attributed to drug abuse by injection. Although, the number has declined somewhat, the CDC reports the estimated number of AIDS cases due to drug abuse via injection in 2007 as 6,010. Almost all cases of Hepatitis C, 25,000 cases in 2001, were also related to dirty needles used when abusing drugs. Tragically, 4,700 cases, or half of the pediatric AIDS cases through 2002) were the result of the child's mother abusing drugs via injection or having sex with a person abusing drugs via injection.

The impact of substance abuse on child abuse, driving and violence

If the above listed costs of medical care for those affected by drug abuse are not tragic enough, other societal costs of substance abuse wreak havoc in America. According to the National Highway Safety Administration, between 10 and 22% of all drivers involved in crashes used drugs, many times in combination with alcohol. Worse, the National Institutes of Health finds alcohol is involved in 40% of traffic deaths. Of all individuals arrested for major crimes including homicide, theft and assault, at least one half were under the influence of illegal drugs when arrested. Also tragic is the statistic that two-thirds of patients seeking treatment for drug abuse claim to have been physically or sexually abused as children.

The impact of substance abuse on the community

A study from the National Household Survey on drug Use and Health found that 9.4 million full time workers were illicit drug abusers. According to the NIDA, between 50% and 80% of all substantiated child abuse cases involve a degree of substance abuse by the child's parents. NIDA also reports 60% of incarcerated adults are there on drug-related crimes.

One final devastating statistic: in the year 2000, approximately 460,000 deaths were attributable to substance abuse. It is time that we, as a nation, consider the epidemic of substance abuse and its toll on society. It is easy to believe that substance abuse does not affect us individually, however it is hoped that these statistics will prove that every citizen is affected in a variety of ways by substance abuse. The cost to our nation can no longer be overlooked.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control

National Institute on Chemical Dependency

National Institute on Drug Abuse

National Institute of Health

Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics

U.S. Department of Justice