Illinois veterans spend 78.6 % of income on rehab costs, study shows

Severe Financial Barriers Prevent U.S. Vets From Getting the Addiction Help They Need. 30% of U.S. states have annual rehabilitation costs that exceed veteran incomes. Wyoming veterans spend 133.8% of their income on annual drug rehabilitation costs, the highest rate in the U.S. In Illinois, rehabilitation costs amount to 78.6% of annual veteran income.

Zinnia Health conducted a study to investigate the financial challenges that veterans encounter when trying to afford drug rehabilitation services throughout the United States.

The research analyzes the average annual incomes of veterans and compares them to the average costs of residential drug rehabilitation services in each state. The findings reveal that in 15 states, the annual costs of rehabilitation exceed the average income of veterans, making recovery unattainable for many.

The data found that veterans living in Illinois would have to spend 78.6% of their salary to cover drug rehabilitation expenses.

15 States Where Rehab Costs Exceed Veteran Income

Wyoming is identified as the state where veterans experience the most significant financial challenges in accessing drug rehabilitation services. The cost of residential treatment in Wyoming is 133.8% of the average annual income for veterans, which amounts to $49,303. With treatment expenses reaching as high as $65,975 per year, veterans would need to cover an additional $16,672 out of pocket. Wyoming is home to approximately 42,000 veterans and has 60 active substance abuse clinics serving 2,233 clients.

Percentage of Veteran Income Spent on Residential Drug Rehabilitation Expenses

In West Virginia, veterans face rehabilitation costs that exceed their incomes, spending an average of 118.9% of their average annual salary on treatment. The average yearly income for veterans in the state is $48,675, while residential rehabilitation costs $57,881. Veterans represent 7.8% of West Virginia’s adult civilian population, with 1,243 veterans experiencing homelessness. The state has 129 active substance abuse clinics, serving 10,109 clients annually. Among these facilities, eight offer free drug rehabilitation treatments to all clients.

Veterans in Montana encounter a similar financial burden, with rehabilitation costs amounting to 118.4% of their average income. The average cost of drug rehabilitation in the state is $62,530, while the typical income for veterans is $52,794. Montana has approximately 78,600 veterans, and around 10,067 adults seek substance abuse treatment each year. The state is home to 93 active treatment facilities.

In Vermont, veterans must allocate 114.8% of their annual income to cover the cost of residential drug rehabilitation. The average veteran income in the state is $50,214, while the average cost of treatment is $57,667. Vermont is home to about 34,500 veterans and has 53 active treatment facilities, serving over 6,000 patients annually.

North Dakota ranks among the top five states where veterans struggle significantly to afford drug rehabilitation services, spending 113.2% of their income on treatment. The average annual cost of rehabilitation is $64,673, while the typical veteran income is $57,129. The state is home to approximately 43,600 veterans and has 90 active substance abuse clinics that treat 3,754 clients each year.

The remaining states where the cost of residential drug rehabilitation exceeds veteran income are South Carolina, where treatment costs 112.8% of veteran income. Kentucky follows closely, at 110.2%, with Arkansas at 110.1%. Oregon comes next, at 109.9%, followed by Pennsylvania at 106.8%. Wisconsin and Nebraska both have rehabilitation costs that are 104.1% of veteran income, while Hawaii is at 103.7%. Ohio and Oklahoma round out the list, with costs at 102.8% and 102.4% of veteran income, respectively.

Dr. Christine Curtis, National Director of Veteran Programming at  Zinnia Health commented, “These days, good health encompasses more than just physical well-being. Mental health has become a critical part of overall wellness, particularly for veterans who face unique challenges related to their service. Organizations like Zinnia Health highlight the need for accessible, high-quality behavioral health care for military service members and their families.”

Conclusion  

This research underscores the critical need for affordable drug rehabilitation services for veterans. In states where treatment costs exceed the average veteran income,t there are significant gaps in support systems that must be addressed.

For more information and resources on recovery programs, visit Zinnia Health.   Source:  https://zinniahealth.com/.     

Sources: Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS), National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS)

Methodology: Researchers analyzed average veteran income and annual drug rehabilitation costs by state. They then calculated the percentage of income spent by comparing these two metrics. States where rehabilitation costs exceeded veteran incomes were highlighted.

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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