The Addiction Epidemic Costs the US $740 Billion Annually in Lost Work Productivity, Crime, and Healthcare

Addiction, and subsequent drug abuse, is an epidemic not only in the United States, but across the world, with the epidemic spreading. In fact, studies have shown that abuse of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs is costing the United States more than $740 billion annually in costs related to crime, lost work productivity and health care. The drug war has been proven a complete failure as the average cost for 1 full year of methadone maintenance treatment is approximately $4,700 per patient, whereas 1 full year of imprisonment costs approximately $24,000 per person.

Addiction abuse is costing the US more than $740 billion annually in costs related to crime, lost work productivity and health care.

However, South Florida Intervention understands that counseling and the intervention process are key to helping those plagued with the disease of addiction. We are devoted to helping those in need, and strongly believe that more workplace initiatives are required.  

Many factors apply, however, workers in construction/mining experience the highest rates of substance use disorders, with approximately 17% living with a substance use disorder. However, service industry workers are a close second, with actually the highest levels of past month illicit drug use at 19.1%  Attorneys and Lawyers are also susceptible  with about 29 percent of lawyers in their first decade of practice report problematic drinking behavior. Comparatively, 21 percent of attorneys in their second decade of practice suffer from alcohol use disorders. Lastly, An estimated 10 percent of health care professionals abuse drugs — about the same rate as the general public. However, studies suggest that doctors are more likely to misuse prescription drugs than their patients.  A full ranking and report of various industries can be found here.

There is a bright side, those in recovery, after receiving substance use treatment in the past and have not had a substance use disorder within the last 12 months, miss the fewest days of any “group” – even the general workforce – at 9.5 days annually. The general workforce averages 10.5 days annually for illness, injury or reasons excluding vacations and holidays.

Reach out to us today to discuss how South Florida intervention can assist your workplace in ensuring a healthy drug-free community. Not only will you have a more energized, healthy and safe workplace, but your workplace expenses and stresses will decrease. All the way from employee’s home-life to the board’s quarterly financial reporting will improve significantly once employees are provided the opportunity to face their addiction and find help.  

It has been reported that almost 21 million Americans have at least one addiction, yet only 10% of them receive treatment. Further, approximately 2.1 million Americans have an opioid use disorder and about 5 million Americans are regular cocaine users. No longer can we turn a blind eye with such a large percentage of Americans addicted to seriously harmful and addictive drugs. Get help today for yourself, a loved one, or your organization. We must stand together, have one another's backs. This is key to building stronger and efficient workforces, which in turn build healthier and wealthier communities.

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