Investing in Your Future: Why Treatment is Always Cheaper Than Addiction
When you or a loved one is struggling with a substance use disorder, the decision to seek help is often accompanied by a significant fear: the cost. In a time of economic uncertainty, inflation, and rising living expenses, the idea of paying for residential treatment can feel overwhelming. You might ask yourself, “Can I afford this?” or “Is it really worth the investment?” These are valid questions. However, the more important question to ask is, “Can I afford not to go?”
At Serenity at Summit, with our premium facilities in New Jersey and New England, we believe that transparency is key to recovery. We want to have an honest conversation about the financial realities of treatment versus the financial realities of addiction. When you look at the “Return on Investment” (ROI) of recovery, the math becomes clear: treatment is not just an expense; it is the single best investment you can make in your future, your stability, and your financial health.
The Hidden Price Tag: What Addiction Actually Costs You
It is easy to see the price tag of a treatment program. It is much harder to calculate the daily, monthly, and yearly cost of active addiction, but these costs add up to a staggering amount. The financial toll of substance use goes far beyond the money spent on drugs or alcohol.
Consider the direct and indirect costs:
- The Substance Itself: For someone with an opioid or alcohol use disorder, the daily cost of maintaining the addiction can range from $50 to hundreds of dollars a day. Over a year, this alone can equal the cost of a luxury car or a down payment on a home.
- Lost Income and Career Stagnation: Addiction is a progressive disease. Eventually, it impacts your ability to work. This manifests as missed days, lost productivity, missed promotions, or even job loss. The long-term impact on your earning potential is profound.
- Legal Fees: A single DUI or possession charge can cost upwards of $10,000 in fines, legal fees, and increased insurance premiums.
- Medical Emergencies: Addiction leads to chronic health issues and accidents. A single trip to the ER for an overdose or an alcohol-related injury can result in thousands of dollars in medical bills.
- Damaged Credit and Debt: Active addiction often leads to impulsive financial decisions, maxed-out credit cards, and missed bill payments, destroying your credit score and financial future.
The ROI of Recovery: What You Gain
When you invest in treatment, you are stopping this financial hemorrhage. But you are also gaining assets that have immense financial value.
- Increased Earning Potential: Recovery restores your cognitive function, reliability, and drive. Individuals in recovery often see a significant boost in their career trajectory and income within the first few years of sobriety.
- Protection of Assets: You stop draining your savings and start rebuilding them. You protect your home, your car, and your retirement fund from being liquidated to fund an addiction.
- Lower Healthcare Costs: Recovery leads to better physical health. You will spend less on emergency care, chronic disease management, and related health issues over your lifetime.
The “Return on Investment” for substance use treatment is estimated to be between $4 and $7 for every $1 spent (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020). This return comes from reduced crime, reduced criminal justice costs, and reduced theft. When you factor in healthcare savings, the ratio can rise to 12:1.
Making Treatment Accessible: Insurance and Financing
The “sticker price” of rehab is rarely what you actually pay. At Serenity at Summit, we work with most major insurance providers to make our premium care accessible. The Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), therapy, and residential stay are often covered benefits.
Our admissions team will:
- Verify Your Benefits: We will contact your insurance company to determine exactly what is covered and your out-of-pocket maximum.
- Explore Financing: If you are uninsured or have high deductibles, we can discuss financing options and payment plans.
- Maximize Your End-of-Year Benefits: If you have already met your deductible for the year, your treatment could be fully covered or significantly cheaper if you admit before December 31st.
The High Cost of Waiting
Addiction is a progressive, chronic, and potentially fatal disease. It does not get better on its own; it gets more expensive and more dangerous. Waiting to seek treatment “until finances are better” is a trap. The disease itself ensures that finances will never improve as long as it remains active.
Even if you haven’t yet felt a serious financial impact from drugs or alcohol, that can change in a single moment—a car accident, a workplace incident, or a health crisis. Choosing treatment now is a proactive financial decision. It is the decision to stop the losses and start the gains.
Invest in Your Life
You are worth the investment. Your future is worth the investment. Don’t let fear of the cost keep you from saving your own life. At Serenity at Summit, we are here to help you navigate the financial aspect of treatment so you can focus on what really matters: getting well.
Contact our admissions team today for a free, no-obligation insurance verification and financial consultation. Let’s make a plan that works for you.
References
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Is drug addiction treatment worth its cost? https://nida.nih.gov/nidamed-medical-health-professionals/treatment/addiction-treatment
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). The Economic Costs of Substance Use Disorders in the United States.
- Office of National Drug Control Policy. (2023). National Drug Control Strategy. The White House.
