Opioid settlement funds can help create and expand recovery housing

In 1987, the American Medical Association formally declared addiction a chronic disease. Recently, this disease has proven itself to have permeated every aspect of our society.

The most recent available data shows that nearly half of U.S. adults have experienced substance use problems within their families. The real number could actually be far greater. During one of my recent presentations, with nearly 100 professionals in the room, I asked if they knew or had known someone who was or had been struggling with substance use disorder. Every single participant raised his or her hand.

The number of individuals struggling is devastating, resulting in over 106,000 people annually losing their lives to drug overdoses. This loss of nearly 300 people per day does not even include the individual lives affected by addiction to alcohol.

Although the statistics surrounding addiction are disheartening, there is hope. Recovery is possible. Currently, over 20 million Americans thrive in recovery. Moreover, research has shown that 80 percent of individuals who recover from addiction achieve significant personal milestones.

Recovery is a lifelong journey. Through this journey, individuals have been able to thrive by completing their college degrees, changing their career paths, raising their families, and finding new jobs. With connections and resources, they have regained control over this disease and become productive and valuable members of society.

The sheer numbers of individuals struggling with addiction, as well as the resilience and potential of those in recovery, amplify the importance for each of us to take part in supporting their journey by providing meaningful, effective, and non-judgmental environments for their success.

One crucial aspect of this support is the establishment of recovery housing. A study conducted in Ohio revealed that there is an “almost limitless” need for such housing, yet the availability of resources is severely lacking across communities. Smaller programs, in particular, struggle to secure and prepare homes for this purpose, highlighting the urgent need for financial assistance.

Establishing a recovery home is a complex endeavor, further complicated by varying federal and state laws, including the American with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, accreditation requirements, business licensure, insurance regulations, rental guidelines, zoning regulations, health and safety standards, fire codes, and human services funding.

These complexities mean that the funding gap for recovery housing must be addressed at both the federal and local levels. Yet long-term investments in recovery housing not only benefit individuals in their journey to sobriety, but also have broader societal implications. According to the National Safety Council, workers in recovery help employers save $8,175 per year in turnover, healthcare and replacement costs over employees with untreated addiction, and miss 13.7 fewer days of work per year.

Opioid settlement funds are currently being distributed in various regions across the country, with some states still determining how to allocate them. As these disbursements and decisions are being made, it is vital to prioritize funding for evidence-based programs, such as supporting recovery housing and initiatives that focus on empowering individuals with lived experience to lead and provide life-saving services as communities continue to tackle substance use disorder.

Addiction, especially the current opioid epidemic, is a pervasive national crisis that requires a coordinated and community-driven response. Recovery housing is a linchpin in the battle against addiction, offering individuals a supportive environment to rebuild their lives.

To ensure its success and availability across communities, it is imperative that we make it a national priority to allocate sufficient funding and resources to establish and maintain these critical facilities. It will not only saves live, but also have far-reaching economic and societal benefits that should not be underestimated.

Jeff Horwitz is the CEO of SAFE Project and former general counsel of the White House Military Office.