Paper Topic:

Combating Addition

Society is inflicted with substance abuse and addiction . Addiction , the continuation of a behavior over and over again despite negative or even horrific consequences , continues to devastate communities at an alarming rate . Addiction not only impacts the individual inflicted with the illness , but it reaches far and wide to impact family , friends , and society at large . In other words , addiction is a society disease However , health insurance companies continue to limit coverage for addiction treatment . Insurance companies limit the coverage for both inpatient and outpatient treatment for substance abuse patients even

though substance abuse and chemical dependency is now understood as a disease of the brain . Insurance companies must take responsibility and provide appropriate and adequate coverage for addicts because substance abuse is a disease , substance abuse is treatable , and because treatment is cost effective

Brain research has exploded over the past several decades and scientists now know that addiction is a brain disease . Addiction is a disease and must be treated as such . However , those suffering from the illness deal with the stigma of being considered weak . Society largely views addicts as people with an inability to control their desire to drink or use drugs or those who simply lack will power . The reality is that addiction is a chronic , relapsing brain illness that affects the mental , physical emotional , and spiritual aspects of an individual . The disparity between the way society views drug addicts and the reality they are experiencing are huge . Environment certainly plays a role in addiction . However environment is only one component to consider when addressing the illness and cannot be held accountable for the dis . Once insurance companies recognize that addiction is a complex disease , they will be obligated to provide appropriate treatment for the illness just as they provide appropriate treatment for any other disease such as Diabetes or Cancer

Next , insurance companies should provide adequate coverage for sufferers of addiction because addiction is treatable . Understanding addiction as a brain disease with physical , emotional , and spiritual components allows treatment facilities to provide successful care for patients Many times the successful treatment of addiction requires a period of detoxification followed by group or individual therapy . In addition , the inclusion of medications and behavioral treatments look promising for the future of addiction treatment . As more and more is uncovered about the brain , addiction treatment will become more and more successful

Finally , insurance companies need to provide adequate treatment for addicts because it is cost effective . Active substance abusers take a financial toll on society . Many times addicts are unable to hold down a job or are unable to work . Many addicts commit crimes only to end up in the criminal justice system . Once addicts are in the criminal justice system , many times they are forgotten . Based on years of failure , it is evident that the criminal justice system alone does not lead to recovery . Therefore , the addicts drain society as they shift through the system only to be let out as sick as they were when...

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