The Cost Of Addiction / Substance Abuse Essay - 936 Words

Analysis of the Cost of Addiction/Substance Abuse Stevens Smith (2013) ascertain that alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs have cost $180-$484 billion dollars annually, yet that dollar estimate does not include what damage it causes to the family and victims of substance abuse users. In contrast, research indicates to use caution when deciphering the costs of substance abuse due to new data that is constantly changing (Single, 2009). Furthermore, some associated costs may not be reported because medical community is constantly evolving and potential links to deaths caused by substance abuse is continual (Single, 2009). What cannot be measured is the damage to the substance abuser’s family relationships and friends. The stress the abuser places on their family may also cause more rising health costs that could possibly remain unreported in the overall cost assessment. Literature suggests that approximately one-half of United States citizens reported that up to three family member s had firsthand knowledge of someone related to them having a substance abuse problem (Hussaarts, Roozen, Meyers, Van de Wetering, McCrady, 2012). Additionally, it has been calculated that for every individual with a substance abuse problem, up to five close relatives or friends will be negatively impacted in various life areas (Hussaarts, et. al. 2012). Therefore, there is a dollar amount associated with the effects of substance abuse as well as causing a multitude of problems for the abuser’sShow MoreRelatedIllegal Substance Abuse And Addiction1196 Words   |  5 PagesIllegal substance abuse and addiction can have far-reaching negative impacts that affect not only the people who abuse drugs but also their friends, family members, the community, and government resources. 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