The Cost of Addiction: Why You Need to Be Searching For Addiction Rehab Near Me

If you have recently thought: I need to find an addiction rehab near me—then this article is for you. Aside from the financial cost of addiction, a substance use disorder can have far-reaching physical, mental, and emotional repercussions, from minor health issues to more serious complications like organ damage and increased risk for contagious diseases.

The repercussions of addiction can not only harm the person struggling with it, but also their family and friends, and can even have an impact on the entire community. It is essential to realize the far-reaching effects of addiction and why professional treatment is required to overcome it.

Addiction affects every aspect of one’s life, including their physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being, as well as their relationships and overall quality of life.

Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) Explained

Substance use disorder, otherwise known as addiction, is an enduring issue that is marked by repeated use of an addictive substance or behavior, in spite of its negative implications. It is a complicated issue that not only has an effect on the mind and behavior, but also usually involves physical reliance, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. People with addiction are liable to struggle with controlling their use, and can still opt to use even if it leads to issues with their relationships, job, or health. Addiction can also cause extensive harm to someone’s life, and can bring about problems such as mental health issues and long-term health conditions.

The 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 10.4% of the United States population, equaling a total of 27.6 million individuals aged 12 and over, had consumed illegal drugs in the last month. Furthermore, 5.6% of the population or 14.5 million people had a Substance Use Disorder in the previous year, with opioid use disorder being the primary diagnosis.

The Financial Cost of Addiction

The implications of addiction on an individual, their family, and the greater population are immense from a financial standpoint. Examples of the costs addiction can incur are:

DUIs

DUIs can present serious legal, financial, and personal consequences. A DUI conviction can lead to large fines, costly legal fees, and an increase in insurance premiums. Furthermore, there may be penalties such as license suspension or revocation, community service hours, or even jail time. It is important for individuals to understand the potential risks associated with DUIs and always exercise caution when operating a motor vehicle.

Incarceration

Incarceration is not only a costly solution in addressing addiction, but it can also lead to a ripple effect of negative outcomes within families and communities. This includes the financial burden of paying for the cost of imprisonment, as well as the emotional distress caused by an individual being separated from their family members. Additionally, due to time spent away from home, individuals may miss out on important educational or job opportunities that could provide them with far more successful outcomes than incarceration.

The Cost of Drugs

Drugs are not cheap, and using is often a very expensive habit. The cost of illegal drugs can also be significant and is often a major factor contributing to crime. Illegal drugs can cause an immense financial burden to individuals and their families, as well as strain resources that are allocated toward public health initiatives.

Mental and Healthcare Costs

Addiction not only has adverse physical and mental effects on individuals, but it also poses a financial burden in the form of high healthcare costs. For example, individuals who are struggling with addiction may need to receive treatment for the physical and psychological consequences of their addiction, thus resulting in a much higher bill for health care services.

The Physical Cost of Addiction

Substance abuse and addiction impact the physical body in many ways. Examples include:

Injury

People in the throes of addiction may be more likely to take part in dangerous activities, such as reckless driving, which can lead to severe accidents and injuries. They may also be more likely to fall or make other dangerous mistakes that can result in serious physical injury. Furthermore, consuming drugs and alcohol can lead to medical conditions that increase the risk of injury, such as slowed reaction time or impaired judgment.

Brain Damage

Brain damage caused by drug addiction can be long-lasting and irreversible. Alcohol, opioids, and other addictive substances can cause long-term structural changes in the brain, leading to decreased cognitive functioning and decreased ability to control impulses. In particular, areas of the brain involved in learning, memory, and decision-making can be particularly damaged by addiction

Organ Failure

In addition to causing organ damage, such as brain damage, long-term drug use can also lead to organ failure. The liver is particularly vulnerable to the effects of alcohol and some drugs, with cirrhosis being a common result of alcohol abuse. Cocaine use can also have serious consequences on the heart, such as an increased risk of heart attack.

Disease

Addiction increases the risk of contracting serious diseases. For example, people who inject drugs are particularly vulnerable to HIV and hepatitis C due to the potential for shared needles to spread these diseases quickly. Furthermore, drug addiction may also put individuals at a higher risk of developing lung infections due to their increased exposure to airborne infectious agents like bacteria or viruses.

Overdose

Overdose is a serious reality that can lead to death. It often occurs when someone is unaware of their tolerance levels or has an impaired ability to make decisions, and inadvertently exceeds the recommended dose. The effects of an overdose can vary based on the type and amount of drug used but can include nausea, seizures, respiratory depression, and, in extreme cases, death.

The Mental Cost of Addiction

Addiction can have a wide range of effects on a person’s mental health that can be detrimental to their overall well-being. Examples of the mental cost of addiction include:

Cognitive Impairment

Addiction can lead to cognitive impairment, which can limit a person’s ability to think critically and understand concepts. This can have a profound impact on their performance at work or school, as well as their ability to manage daily tasks. Furthermore, they may find it difficult to remember important information or details.

Interpersonal Problems

Addiction can lead to serious interpersonal problems, as it can make it difficult to maintain healthy and meaningful relationships with friends and family. This can have a damaging effect on both the individual struggling with addiction and the people in their lives. In addition, addiction may lead to risky or illegal behavior, potentially resulting in legal issues and further isolation from society.

Psychological Dependence

Psychological dependence on a substance can be one of the most difficult aspects of addiction to overcome. When someone has become addicted, they may begin to rely on their substance of choice to cope with stress or other negative emotions and feel that it is impossible to function without it. This can lead to profound feelings of helplessness, and make it extremely challenging for an individual to break free from the seemingly endless cycle of addiction, even when faced with negative consequences.

Co-Occurring Disorders

Co-occurring disorders are very common in those suffering from addiction and indicate a more complex problem than just the addiction itself. People struggling with addiction often have other mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.

The Emotional Cost of Addiction

Addiction can have a great emotional cost to those affected by it. hose suffering from addiction often find it difficult to open up to friends and family about their struggles, which can further compound the emotional cost of addiction. The following are a few examples of the emotional cost of addiction:

Guilt and Shame

As a result of addiction, feelings of shame, guilt, and self-loathing can often arise. This can lead to a general feeling of low self-esteem or self-doubt. It is important to remember that these feelings are common among those struggling with addiction and should not be taken as a sign of failure.

Emotional Numbing

Over time, relying on substances to cope with difficult emotions can lead to emotional numbing, which is a phenomenon whereby people feel less able to experience and express a wide range of emotions. This can be very dangerous as it serves as a barrier in seeking help or support

Loneliness

People with addiction may find themselves isolated from their loved ones, which can lead to a feeling of loneliness. This isolation can prevent them from forming and maintaining new relationships, leaving them feeling disconnected and unsupported. This further increases the feeling of loneliness, creating a cycle that is difficult to break without professional help.

Trauma

Trauma has long been linked to and is a major contributor to the development of addiction. This can range from abuse or neglect in childhood or even violence experienced as an adult. On the other hand, addiction can also cause traumatic experiences in a person’s life, such as losing custody of a child or even incarceration.

Help for Addiction in Los Angeles, CA

No need to Google addiction rehab near me any longer—we are here to help! Launch Centers in Los Angeles is dedicated to aiding those who are fighting addiction and mental health issues. We have crafted our programs with the aim of helping individuals reach their highest potential by combining educational and professional objectives with clinical care and comprehensive treatment.

Through our inpatient mental health services, we can give you a helping hand to take back control of your life and move towards an optimal level of mental well-being. If you need our assistance and would like to learn more about our extensive services and programs, reach out to one of our experts from Launch Centers right away. With our help, recovery is possible. Call us today.