New Analysis Shows Opioid Crisis Cost the U.S. Economy $631 Billion Over Four Years
America’s opioid crisis has cost the U.S. economy at least $631 billion from 2015 to 2018, according to a new
analysis from the Society of Actuaries on non-medical opioid use.
The report also projected future costs of the opioid crisis for 2019 based on three scenarios reflecting how the crisis may move forward, with a midpoint cost estimate of $188 billion and the low- and high-cost estimates ranging from $172 billion to $214 billion.
Nearly one-third of the economic burden, or $205 billion, is attributable to excess healthcare spending for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD), infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome or neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, and for other family members of those diagnosed with OUD.
Premature mortality, criminal justice activities, child and family assistance and education programs, and lost productivity accounted for the remainder of the economic toll.
Gallup Reports Nearly Half of U.S. Adults Have Dealt with Substance Abuse in Their Family
Nearly half of U.S. adults, 46 percent, have dealt with substance abuse problems in their family, according to results from a Gallup
poll released this week.
The findings are based on 2018-2019 data from Gallup’s annual Consumption Habits poll that is conducted each July. Across the two polls, 36 percent of Americans reported that drinking has been a cause of trouble in their family, while 28 percent reported the same about drug abuse.
Both questions are lifetime measures, meaning they asked Americans if drinking or drug abuse has ever been a problem in their family. The findings showed that reported family problems with drinking are similar among adults of all age groups—at or near 35 percent. Meanwhile, a higher percentage of adults under 55 (31 percent) than of those 55 and older (24 percent) said there has ever been a problem with drug abuse in their family.
The study also highlighted some regional differences, as residents of the West are more likely than those in the East to report drinking problems. Westerners are also more likely than Easterners and Southerners to report family drug problems, the findings showed.
National Addiction Treatment Week is October 21-27, 2019
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) will host
National Addiction Treatment Week next week to raise awareness about the gap in certified addiction medicine care and treatment.
The week is also meant to expand the qualified workforce and build awareness around the important need for clinicians to enter the field of addiction medicine.
To participate, follow @TreatmentWeek on Twitter and use #hashtag #TreatmentWeek to share your messages about addiction care and treatment.
NABH President and CEO Mark Covall to Speak at Treatment Center Investment & Valuation Retreat
NABH President and CEO Mark Covall will present on industry trends in the addiction treatment sector at the Treatment Center Investment & Valuation Retreat on Tuesday, Dec. 10 in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Covall will also discuss federal policy changes that could affect addiction treatment centers, as well as collaborative opportunities with payers and employers.
The three-day educational, business, and networking event will be held Dec. 9-11 at the Omni Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Montelucia. Other sessions include Inside a Behavioral Healthcare M&A Transaction: Lessons for All Executives, and Roadmap to Growth: Key Legal Issues, and Solutions, in the Expansion of Your Treatment Center.
Click
here to register and use the code NABH to receive a $100 discount on your registration.
Register Today for the NABH 2020 Annual Meeting!
The schedule At-a-Glance for the 2020 NABH Annual Meeting—
Expanding Access: Right Care. Right Setting. Right Time.— is now available online.
Please visit NABH’s Annual Meeting
homepage today to register for the Annual Meeting and also make your hotel reservation at the Mandarin Oriental Washington, DC from March 16-18, 2020.
We look forward to seeing you next March!
Fact of the Week
Youth who received mobile crisis services had a significant
reduction in odds of a subsequent behavioral health emergency department visit.
For questions or comments about CEO Update, please contact Jessica Zigmond.