When people talk about getting treatment for substance use, one of the things that inevitably comes up is the cost, which is often seen as prohibitive. But something that many people may not realize is that the cost of not seeking help can be far greater—and not just in dollars and cents.
Let’s look at the direct and indirect ways that substance use takes a toll on your wallet, your time, your health, and your overall well-being.
How Much Does Daily Substance Use Cost?
Well, we’ll start with a bit of a disclaimer. Estimating the average daily cost of substance use in Canada varies dramatically based on the substance, the usage frequency, and individual circumstances. An article from BC Medical Journal published in early 2021 calculates that people who use opioids spend between $20 and $427.50 daily on substances, and that people who use amphetamines spend between $10 and $100 during the pandemic.
Think about this: If someone is spending $50 a day on substances, that adds up to $18,250 a year. Over ten years? That’s $182,500—just on the substances themselves. And for most people, the actual costs are even higher. The cost of substance use goes beyond the money spent purchasing substances. There’s the time lost in procuring them, the hours spent under the influence, and the days spent recovering. Over a decade, these lost hours can add up to thousands of missed opportunities: promotions at work, quality time with family, or personal milestones that never happen.
Now imagine redirecting that money toward something meaningful: a home, education, travel, or even early retirement.
It’s important to note that these figures can fluctuate over time and may not represent current costs.
The Intangible Costs Of Substance Use
Some costs of substance use can’t be measured in dollars, but that doesn’t make them any less devastating. Over and over, we’ve seen addiction lead to conflict with loved ones, trust issues, strained relationships and even estrangement. Rebuilding these relationships can take years—if it’s even possible. What’s more, living with addiction often comes with feelings of shame, guilt, and hopelessness, which affect your mental health, self-esteem, and overall quality of life.
Life does not have a rewind button; we can never get back the time we spend in the grip of problematic substance use, deferring our dreams, letting our talents go untapped, and leaving our potential unrealized.
Over a lifetime, that’s a world of missed opportunities for growth and personal fulfillment. What’s more, these costs extend far beyond the individual and affect us on a societal level.
Societal Costs And Harms Of Substance Use
According to the Canadian Substance Use Cost and Harms report, an open data initiative by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction and the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, the total economic cost of substance use in Canada in 2020 was estimated to be $49.1 billion, averaging approximately $1,291 per person. Over 62% of these costs were linked to alcohol and tobacco. Opioid use accounted for $7.1 billion, the highest figure recorded in any year examined, with nearly 75% of these costs arising from lost productivity, largely due to premature deaths caused by opioid use.
Why Treatment Is The Better Investment
While the upfront cost of treatment may seem high, treatment represents an investment in a healthier, happier future. It not only helps to end problematic substance use, but also helps you foster the tools to rebuild your life, repair relationships, and rediscover your potential.
Many treatment centres in Canada—including our own—offer payment plans, insurance assistance, or sliding scale fees to make care more accessible. Provincial health plans and employee benefits may also cover a portion of the costs, reducing the financial burden.
One thing is clear: the return on this investment is priceless.
Your life, your health, and your future.
Sunshine Coast Health Centre and Georgia Strait Women’s Clinic are world-class centres for addiction and mental health treatment. We take an approach that recognizes the importance of the physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of individuals in treatment and recovery. The first step is the hardest, but it’s also the most important. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use or mental health, give us a call today.
