There is no denying the U.S. is a hotbed of substance abuse problems. And conjecture this is not; several studies published by several very credible organizations show that the U.S. is home to its fair share of substance use disorders (SUDs). To put into context the scale of the substance use disorder problem in the U.S., we need only look at a study published by the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS).
According to researchers, around 11% or roughly 32 million people in the U.S. have a problem with drugs, alcohol, or both. And the sobering statistics related to the country’s drug and alcohol problem do not end there; crime, overdose, and overdose-related deaths are also part of the broader problem.
The Relationship Between Substance Abuse and Crime
Crime born from addiction is a topic that seldom gets discussed, and it should be since the two tend to go hand in hand. According to a 2019 study from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), an estimated 20% of prison inmates are in prison because they committed a crime to obtain money for drugs.
A separate and equally credible study revealed that some 35% of victims of violent crimes say their attacker was under the influence of alcohol when they committed the assault. While we are on the topic, another study found alcohol was a factor in roughly 28% of the traffic accidents reported in 2016. Sadly, it does not end there; drugs, alcohol, or both were reportedly a factor in many 2016 cases involving sexual assault and rape, according to many of the same studies.
Signs America Might Be Turning the Corner on the Fight Against Substance Abuse
As grim as things might seem in the U.S. concerning the country’s struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, there is a silver lining. Not everyone is content to languish in the throes of addiction; many people who have a problem with drugs or alcohol recognize that they have a problem and are willing to do something about it.
For most of them, this means turning to a licensed rehab facility for help conquering their addiction demons. Multiple studies show rehab admission rates are on the rise and have been rising for the last few years. But despite that previously mentioned silver lining, not everything is rainbows and unicorns. Some people don’t bother to get the help they need to quit drugs or alcohol because they believe they can’t afford the cost of addiction recovery treatments.
What Rehab Centers Accept Insurance?
If you have a problem with drugs, alcohol, or both and have health insurance, you should know all U.S.-based, licensed rehab facilities accept insurance. That means cost doesn’t have to be the barrier that stands in the way of someone regaining control over their life. And this applies whether they have health coverage through an employer, coverage through health insurance purchased via the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or health insurance coverage through Medicare or Medicaid. This kind of coverage is possible because of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.
This federal law requires all private and public health insurance companies to provide coverage for addiction recovery and mental health services in the policies they sell to customers. As such, those needing help overcoming addiction or addiction coupled with a mental illness, also known as a co-occurring disorder, can use their health insurance to help pay for treatments.
The law further requires that standards for substance use and mental health benefits outlined in those policies be no more restrictive than traditional medical benefits. In essence, this precludes health insurance providers from imposing any of the following when it comes to coverage for addiction recovery services:
- Overly restrictive visit limits in the case of outpatient addiction recovery treatments
- Higher co-payments
- Unreasonable prior authorization requirements
Long story short, the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 is the U.S. government mandating that all health insurance providers treat addiction like the disease that it is. And because of this, individuals can use their health insurance policy to pay for the treatments necessary to turn their lives around. To learn more about the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 or for help finding a licensed rehab facility in your area, consider speaking with one of our associates today. Contact us today at 855-334-6120.
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