Does your benefit plan include a drug addiction program and solutions for employees?
Drug overdose deaths have tripled since 1990. Nearly 21 million Americans struggle with addiction, but only 10% receive treatment. However, seeking recovery can present challenges that often result in an extended journey to overcome the addiction.
Addictions can destroy careers, marriages, friendships, and threaten a person’s health and safety. Whether it’s alcohol, Opioids, or any other substance, addiction kills thousands of Americans year over year and impacts millions. Addiction, or substance use disorder (SUD), is a chronic mental health condition. Because it is a mental health issue and affects the brain, an SUD involves repeated use of substances or engaging in behaviors, even with harmful consequences.
Substance Abuse Tools
SUD tools and programs to aid in treatment and recovery are available and include:
- longer-term, interactive (face-to-face) support group sessions
- seeking professional help
- medications that can assist in treating addiction
These treatments (and others not listed above) are sometimes covered by insurance. They are also eligible expenses that can be paid for with a pre-tax account like a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
Finding Out What’s Eligible
To access a list of eligible expenses and find out more about what SUD programs are eligible, use the Eligible Expense Lookup tool on BenefitResource.com. If you’re a participant with Benefit Resource, you can view the Eligible Expense Table PDF on BRiWeb. (Log in to your BRiWeb account through the main page in the top right corner).
Addiction to any substance is serious, if left untreated, it could stop life in its tracks. Because substance addiction is a progressive disorder, without treatment the effects and severity will only worsen over time.
Thankfully, there are also many rehab facilities and recovery centers throughout the country where anyone can get treatment. Contact a treatment provider today if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and need more information about what to do and where to start.
