If I Use Drugs, Does That Harm My Community?

Many people have questions about the impact of drug usage, such as: How does my drug use affect my community? What is the cost of drug abuse for society? Data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse can help answer these and other questions. It turns out that illegal drug abuse cost the United States almost $161 billion dollars in 2000, when the last data was collected. The costs were broken down into $110 in lost work time and reduced work effectiveness, $12.9 billion for medical care costs, and $35 billion in other costs (including law enforcement and drug task forces).

Some drug users think of drug use as a victimless crime, one that doesn’t directly harm anyone. However, as these statistics show, drug users are costing our nation billions of dollars. In this time of recession, it simply doesn’t pay to do drugs. If you have a problem with a dependence on drugs, you should seek help now. Not only do drugs cost a lost to manufacture and buy, but they’re also costing your family, friends, neighbors, and fellow Americans untold sums of money through their abuse.

It can seem like there’s no hope when you’re dependent on drugs. Thankfully, there is good help out there. Medications and cognitive-behavioral therapy have proven to be effective in treating drug addictions. It can be difficult or impossible for an addict to treat themselves on their own or with family members, so it’s very important to find the right treatment center. At Seabrook House, we customize our treatment plans to individual patient’s needs, so you know the help you’re getting is right for you or a loved one. Seabrook House has rehabilitation centers in New Jersey (NJ), Pennsylvania (PA), and an outpatient center in New York (NY). Contact Seabrook House today for any questions about drugs, addiction, and treatment.