Medical costs are being driven even higher by the incidence of substance abuse-related infectious diseases. Substance abuse is a chronic, progressive, relapsing disorder resulting in physical and psychological dependence on chemical substances. Much like other health disorders, it also can be treated successfully. Effective treatment of substance abuse disorders is essential for decreasing drug use and many of its accompanying problems. Alcohol and drug abuse treatment reduces chemical dependency and thus helps control both the spread and the associated costs of substance abuse-related diseases.
Treatment also reduces criminal behavior and increases productive work and social functioning.
Considering both the human and the financial burden of substance abuse, treatment for addictive disorders is very cost-effective. Dollars spent for alcohol and other drug treatment not only save lives but conserve financial resources. Providing effective treatment services poses extraordinary challenges. Achieving positive results from treatment efforts is not automatic. Major changes during the past decade in treatment for alcohol and other drug addiction have resulted in improvements in treatment procedures, management of patients, and funding mechanisms.