Treatment for addiction is as effective as treatments for other chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Research shows conclusively that successful prevention and treatment leads to reductions in traffic fatalities, crime, unwanted pregnancy, child abuse, HIV/AIDS, cancer and heart disease. Treatment reduces drug use, improves physical and mental health, improves job performance, reduces involvement with the criminal justice system and welfare dependency, reduces family dysfunction, sustains stable housing and improves an individual’s overall quality of life.
Evidence demonstrates that treatment not only saves lives, it also saves dollars that would otherwise be spent in other areas of medical care and social services. Every dollar invested in treatment yields a $7 savings related to crime alone. When health care costs are factored into the equation, the savings approach $12 for every $1 invested in treatment.
References:
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide. October 1999.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research-based guide (NIH Publication No. 99-4180). Washington DC. 1999
Gerstein, et al, “Evaluating Recovery Services: the California Drug and Alcohol Assessment,” Sacramento, 1994.
If you, or someone you love, has an alcohol or other drug problem, the Drug Abuse Alternatives Center (DAAC) can help.
Call toll-free (877) 888-DAAC (3222) or (707) 544-3295 for more information.