Oregon Veterans Do Not Earn Enough to Cover the Cost of Rehabilitation Programs
Residential substance abuse treatment for veterans living in Oregon costs $5,305 more than their annual average income, but the state’s 251,629 veterans are not facing this dilemma alone.
The Cost of Rehab Exceeds Annual Incomes
A study to investigate financial challenges faced by veterans was conducted by Zinnia Health. The findings reveal that Oregon is among 15 states where the cost of rehab exceeds average annual incomes. This, says Zinnia, makes recovery programs unattainable for many vets.
The study highlights the critical need for drug rehabilitation programs that are affordable to the country’s veterans and reveals support system gaps that must be addressed.
In Oregon, the cost of residential drug abuse treatment is 9.9% above the average annual income of $53,589 earned by veterans. With treatment expenses reaching as high as $58,894, veteran incomes fall short by $5,305.
More than a Quarter Million Veterans Live in Oregon
Oregon is home to 251,629 veterans (as of 2022), representing 7.4% of the state’s adult population.
According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), the cheapest monthly costs of medical detoxification programs are $1,750, inpatient rehabilitation $6,000, and outpatient rehab $5,000.
However, there are free rehab programs available at clinics that accept Medicaid, grant-funded addiction treatment centers, and nonprofit organizations.
Oregon Has One of the Highest Drug Abuse Problems in the U.S.
It is well documented that Oregon ranks as a state with one of the biggest drug abuse problems in the country, with deaths by overdose increasing annually.
Oregon is ranked as the 29th most expensive state for residential rehab treatment, according to the NCDAS, and is one of 10 other states with the highest rate of abuse.
The state has 265 substance abuse clinics that treat 20,268 people annually.
The National Director of Veteran Programming at Zinnia Health, Dr. Christine Curtis, says veterans face unique challenges related to their military service, and mental health is critical to their overall wellness.
Dr. Curtis says the study highlights the need for high-quality, accessible behavioral health care for veterans and their families.
Study Methodology
The annual cost of drug rehabilitation and average veteran incomes by state were analyzed by researchers.
They then compared the two metrics by calculating the percentage of income spent – the methodology revealed the states where veteran incomes fall short of rehabilitation costs.