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11 - The True Cost of Opioid Addiction Treatment

from Part III - The Treatment Plan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 October 2023

Ethan O. Bryson
Affiliation:
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
Christine E. Boxhorn
Affiliation:
Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
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Summary

The financial burden of the opioid epidemic can be measured in trillions of dollars. Although treatment of substance use disorders can also be expensive, multiple cost–benefit analyses have demonstrated that treating addiction is cost-effective when compared to addiction-related expenses. Inpatient treatment tends to be more expensive than outpatient, and the actual cost of treatment varies by country. In addition, insurance status can play a significant role, especially in countries that do not offer universal health care. Unfortunately, there have been multiple victims of a scheme known as body brokering, in which vulnerable individuals are exploited for their insurance benefits. Therefore, it is important to find a reputable substance abuse program before entering treatment.

Type
Chapter
Information
The Opioid Epidemic
Origins, Current State and Potential Solutions
, pp. 136 - 143
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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References

References and Further Reading

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US Department of Health and Human Services (2018). Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Spotlight on Opioids. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services.Google Scholar

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