This is a new world that we all live in. The news is filled with battles all over the world, but it leaves out the private battle that millions of people wage every day. This private battle has lasting effects on friends, families, and individuals. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, addiction directly or indirectly affects millions of people every day, resulting in more than $539 billion annually in lost income. The combined costs of diabetes, cancer, and coronary heart disease are only $412.2 billion annually. The following sections will break down the costs by group and show how rehab and alcohol rehab can be of benefit to those suffering from addiction. All forms of cancer are expensive to treat. This is not just for the patient, but also for society.
Let’s see…
Cancer treatment costs approximately $77.4 trillion annually. The cost of cancer is not just shared by the affected families, but also by everyone. This includes higher premiums and treatment fees as well as public programs due to an increasing number of uninsured people. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that over 50 million people and 10% of the youth population are uninsured. Direct costs are directly caused by the inability of individuals or families to obtain or afford health insurance. Indirectly, $124 billion more in costs are caused by a high mortality rate or lost productivity. Cancer has a devastating economic impact on the economy, with direct and indirect costs totaling $201.5 billion. With its many forms and increasing treatment costs, Diabetes closely follows its impact on society.
Diabetes has been a major contributor to public health, with a significant social cost impact on both Cancer and Coronary Heart Disease. All forms of diabetes have been treated since the invention of insulin in 1921. If left untreated, diabetes can cause severe complications. Due to the high uninsured rates, society is forced to pay for treatment through higher premiums and public programs that provide health care. The social impact of diabetes alone, which has a net debt of $171.6 billion, is staggering. Coronary heart disease, the most common type of heart disease and a major concern for millions of people, follows suit.
Illnesses
There are many illnesses that can be avoided, treated, and unavoidable in today’s world. According to the American Heart Association Coronary Heart Disease is caused by Coronary Artery Disease. This disease develops in youth due to poor diet and lack of exercise. At this time, arterial plaque develops which then becomes Coronary Heart Disease. Coronary Heart Disease, the most prevalent form of heart disease in America, costs over $109 billion and takes the lives of more than 385,000 Americans each year. The Center for Disease Control estimates that illegal drug use in the United States accounts for more deaths than car accidents each year. Millions abuse drugs such as Heroin, Cocaine and Spice or pharmaceutical painkillers or stimulants.
The addiction to illegal drugs takes more than 50,000 lives each year, which adds up to $181 billion in social debt. This is more than $490 million per day, and 5 people per hour. If $490 million were allocated elsewhere, there are many things that $490 millions could do every day for society. One of the most addictive substances known is nicotine. A national survey on drug use, health and well-being found that over 65 million Americans aged 12 and older had used or were currently using tobacco products on an almost daily basis. The use of tobacco products has declined dramatically since the mid 1990’s.
Smoking
However, it has migrated to a non-smoking form that still causes cancer and health damage. This directly contributes to the nation’s health crisis on a daily basis at a cost of just $540 million per day. Every minute, someone dies from nicotine products. Alcoholism, which has a cost of more than $224 billion in direct and indirect costs, is at the top of the list. According to the Center for Disease Control 32 people are killed each day in an automobile accident involving alcohol. 31,903 people die from Cirrhosis, while millions more are affected by high blood pressure, seizures and nerve damage. If left untreated, many of these problems can become more serious and even life-threatening. Alcoholism can also lead to the destruction and loss of jobs, as well as mental health problems.
There is help. There is no cure for addiction. However, there are many proven ways to help those suffering from it. Millions of addicts have been helped by doctors and researchers over the years. Dr. Steven Melemis says that one thing that is universally agreed upon is the length of treatment. The greater the chance of success, the longer an individual stays in treatment. Research and documents from The Journal of Neuroscience have shown that addiction can be traced back to one gene in the human genome. The addiction gene is identified as a CyclicAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB). This gene is present at birth if either one or both of the parents are substance abusers. This gene can lead to addiction in many ways. An inability to manage stress and anxiety can lead to addiction. This is why it is common to seek self-treatment.
Addiction Rehab
It can help by teaching individual techniques that have been developed over many decades of practice and testing. Some treatments may require medication for a specific time period. Others may require group and personal training. Addiction rehab gives the individual the chance to build a toolkit for the fight they are about to face. It allows them to create a support network from others who are also fighting the daily battle against genetics.
Addiction rehab can help overcome both the economic and social barriers that will be encountered over the coming years. Individuals fighting addiction have many options for support. Addiction is not curable and can only be treated. Many people have created non-profit treatment centers that are focused on addiction. Valley Hope Association offers extended stays programs for inpatient and outpatient treatment, as well as family-oriented programs. Although there is no cure for addiction, it is possible to get help. Don’t give up. Keep moving forward.