H uman beings are imperfect works in progress. Each of us comes with our fair share of baggage, vices, and virtues. With life having become increasingly fast-paced and strenuous in recent times, the likelihood of people committing more vices may have also increased. To err is human, but what is the true cost of vices that we are forced to pay?
Let’s take a closer look at the true cost of vices that we may tend to ignore.
Smoking: $10,625 Annually
A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that $300 billion are spent by Americans alone. On average, smokers who smoke one pack a day pay around $2,248 yearly. If you live in a more expensive city, like New York City, it can go up to $5,066 annually.
This doesn’t include the cost of treatments that are related to smoking. $170 billion are spent in the US on adult smokers for direct costs. Another $156 billion is spent on the lost productivity (all of those smoke breaks add up!).
Excessive Alcohol Consumption: $16,490 Yearly
In 2010, it cost Americans $249 billion for alcohol misuse. The National Drug Use and Health Survey found that over 15 million adults in 2015 had alcohol use disorders. The cost of getting treatment for the alcohol addiction can cost between $1,000-$60,000 depending on the facility, type of treatment, and program length.
Eating Out: $14,000 Yearly
On average, Americans spend $3,008 eating from restaurants. This can lead to all sorts of health concerns like cardiovascular issues, obesity, and diabetes. For people with high cholesterol, around $14,000 is spent yearly for single prescription drugs. The annual cost throughout America for strokes and heart disease treatment is $320 billion; this includes lost productivity and medical costs.
Gambling: $7,800
Not counting the possibility of bankruptcy, in 2013, the cost for treatment and prevention of gambling addictions cost $60.6 million in the US. There are around 5 million Americans who have a gambling issue –this habit costs around $12 million on average. For treatment in rehab centers, one behavior therapy appointment can cost up to $150. This accumulates to $7,800 if you go once a week.
Marijuana Use: $643 Yearly
Around $5.4 billion were spent in 2016 by Americans on recreational and legal weed. With 8.4 million Americans agreeing they smoke marijuana daily, it can cost $643 a year. If you have marijuana dependency, seeking treatment can cost you around a grand or more.
Shopping Addiction: $1,138 At Least Yearly
It is definitely tough to find proper statistics for online shopping addiction but the average shopper spends around $1,134 on it. It can, of course, cost more depending on the level of addiction. The costs for bankruptcy and family neglect can grow. Getting treatment for treatment programs can cost around $5,000 for 3 months.
Addiction to Sex/Prostitution/Pornography: Up to $14,000 Yearly
NBC News reports that Americans spend $10-$12 billion yearly on pornography. A study in 2014 revealed that the illegal sex industry in Atlanta alone cost $290 million. For behavior-based therapy, the cost for treatment depends on insurance, facility, and the kind of program you select. But it can cost around $14,000 for just 10 days for pornography addiction treatment.
Most individuals have a nasty habit they'd want to kick, but if it's one of these costly vices, you might find yourself in significant financial trouble. In addition to financial consequences, most of these poor habits have a significant influence on your health, inflicting lasting physical impairment and even death in certain situations. Now that you know the true cost of vices, you should try and stay away from them!
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This post is tagged in:
- The True Cost of Vices
- Bad Habits
- Guilty pleasures
