Cost of Addiction

You may think you’re hiding your addiction well, but chances are those around you already realize something’s wrong. Maybe you’ve considered treatment, but were afraid you couldn’t afford the out-of-pocket costs or that you’d lose your job if you asked to take a 30- or 45-day leave of absence.

Your employer may be more eager for you to get help than you think. Employee alcohol and drug abuse costs companies upwards of $100 billion a year, according to The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information. The losses are seen in productivity, injuries and an increase in health insurance claims.

According to NCADI statistics alcohol and drug users:

• Are far less productive.
• Use three times as many sick days.
• Are more likely to injure themselves or someone else.
• Are five times more likely to file worker’s compensation claims.

One survey found that nine percent of heavy drinkers and 10 percent of drug users had missed work because of a hangover, six percent had gone to work high or drunk in the past year, and 11 percent of heavy drinkers and 18 percent of drug users had skipped work in the past month.

With statistics like that, your company can’t afford for you not to get help!

Then there’s the cost to taxpayers. Estimates from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration show that a combined $276 billion was spent or lost in 2005 on health care, crime lost productivity, auto accidents and premature death related to drug and alcohol abuse. That doesn’t even factor in the cost to family and loved ones who help with medical and living expenses while you’re using.

Despite all the negative numbers, less than 5 in 8 U.S. addicts seek out treatment for their drug or alcohol abuse. What’s keeping you from getting help? You can’t afford not to.