The Cost of NOT Going into Drug Treatment When You Suffer from Addiction
Have you ever wondered what will happen if you don’t get help for a drug addiction? What is the true cost of not going into drug treatment when you suffer from addiction? Unfortunately, the cost of NOT going into drug treatment is significantly higher than the cost of getting help when you need it. While it may seem that drug treatment centers charge more than you can afford, can you afford to DIE? That’s the potential cost of NOT getting help!
Chemical dependency ruins lives and costs both the individual who is addicted and their family members far more than treatment does. While the decision to get help is definitely a critical step in the treatment process, the alternative is to potentially suffer dire consequences that cannot be reversed. So what is the true cost of NOT going into treatment—here’s a look at what could happen if you don’t choose to enter a drug treatment center for your addiction:
Legal Problems
Drug treatment can save you from further serious problems.
On the low end, and I say the low end because when addiction is at hand, legal issues really are the least of your worries, you could suffer some pretty serious legal consequences of addiction if you don’t seek help. People who are addicted to drugs or alcohol are more likely to get in trouble with the law, be incarcerated and spend countless hours in and out of the court and legal system.
Many of the criminal offenses that people commit and are incarcerated for involve stealing or doing something criminal to obtain money to support a drug habit. Many more criminal offenses are otherwise drug related such as using drugs while committing the crime. Additionally, DUI offenses cost thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars; another significant cost of NOT going into treatment for addiction.
Medical Problems
Medical problems are the next step of the spectrum of consequences that could occur and the costs that you can expect if you don’t get treatment for addiction. The number of health problems that can arise as the result of using drugs is incredible and on the absolute worst end of the spectrum death is imminent when addiction is left untreated. The cost of NOT getting drug treatment could be death but if you are lucky enough to live through addiction before you get help there are some other potential hazards that can arise including:
- Damage to the heart that could cause stroke, heart attack or other heart related problems
- Brain damage, seizures or convulsions
- Damage to the lungs or respiratory failure
- Mood disorders including anxiety, depression and various behavioral disorders
- Cancer
The Bottom Line – What Does NOT Getting Treatment Really Cost?
A lot of costs have been discussed here but there is one cost that we haven’t gone over and it’s a big one—funerals are very expensive both financially and emotionally. The average cost of a funeral (which is the potential cost that your family will have to pay if you DON’T get help for drug addiction) is about $15,000. This cost is in addition to the emotional suffering that your family members and loved ones will have to go through as a result of your addiction.
Clearly, the cost of NOT getting drug treatment when you are addicted is much higher than the potential cost of entering even some of the most expensive inpatient drug treatment centers. If you or someone you love is addicted to drugs or alcohol, don’t wait and accrue more costs of the addiction—consider getting help today. Treatment Centers .com can help you find a local drug treatment center that will get you back on track and prevent future costs associated with addiction.