According to a recent article in the New York Times by the Associated Press, "America's war on drugs seems poised to shift into a more enlightened phase where treatment of addicts gains favor over imprisonment of low-level offenders."  According to the article, treating drug addicts in residential drug and alcohol treatment programs, "...costs markedly less than incarcerating them, so budget-strapped states could save millions."  The article also states that "According to federal data, 7.6 million Americans needed treatment for illicit drug use in 2008, and only 1.2 million -- or 16 percent -- received it."  It is assumed that the new health care overhaul will expand coverage for drug and alcohol treatment, because financially it just makes sense, not simply because of the economic state of the US, but becasue even if we weren't experiencing and economic depression it would make sense.  It is estimated that over 80% of people incarcerated are drug addicts and/or alcohoics.  If insurance can help families cover the cost of addiction treatment and drug rehab, then many of he people who need treatment but can't afford it will be able to get the help they need.  Addiction treatment facilities are reluctant to deal with insurance companies because of their long turbulant history of dealing with unwilling-to-pay insurance companies.  Many of the most reputable addiction treatment facilities switched to private pay after years of trying to deal with insurance companies.  Only recently has there been a shift, both in the addiction treatment industry and insurance companies. 

Labels: Affordable Drug Treatment in California, Drug Diversion Programs, Drug Rehabs That Accept Insurance, Insurance and Addiction Treatment