Drug, alcohol and smoking addiction costing Australia billions, new report shows | ABC News
Summary
TLDRBen Venka, once bound by alcohol addiction, found a transformative hobby in running after rehab. His story underscores the broader issue of addiction in Australia, with one in four Australians facing challenges with substances like alcohol and gambling. A recent report highlights the financial toll of addiction at a staggering 80 to 175 billion dollars, including loss of productivity and lives. The call for a national, evidence-based plan to address addiction is emphasized, along with the need for increased investment in education and prevention. Ben, now a counselor, helps others in their battle against addiction, offering hope for a clean and fulfilling life.
Takeaways
- 🏃 Ben Venka, once in the grip of alcohol addiction, found a new passion for running which helped him overcome his addiction.
- 🌱 Rehab played a crucial role in Ben's recovery, providing an alternative to his previous destructive habits.
- 💡 Instead of resorting to alcohol, Ben chose to run as a means of coping with life's challenges, which he found to be an amazing experience.
- 🇦🇺 One in four Australians will face issues with gambling, alcohol, and other drugs at some point in their lives, according to a recent report.
- 💰 The financial impact of addiction in Australia is enormous, costing a staggering 80 billion dollars, with an additional 175 billion dollars in lost productivity.
- 📉 The report highlights the significant loss in terms of lives and productivity due to addiction.
- 🤔 There is a gap in treatment services, with up to half a million Australians who need help for addiction unable to access it.
- 📚 Experts are advocating for increased investment in education and prevention to combat the issue of addiction.
- 🌟 Ben, now a counselor, helps others battling addiction, emphasizing the importance of hope and the possibility of a clean and sober life.
- 👀 Ben's work allows him to witness the transformative power of recovery, as individuals regain their connection with others and their sense of hope.
- 📢 There is a call for all sides of government to develop an evidence-based national plan to address addiction more effectively.
Q & A
What was Ben Venka's pastime that he took up after overcoming alcohol addiction?
-Ben Venka took up running as a pastime after overcoming alcohol addiction.
How did Ben Venka's lifestyle change after rehab?
-Instead of going home and starting to drink, Ben would put on his running gear and go for a run after rehab.
What is the estimated one in four Australians struggle with according to the report?
-One in four Australians struggle with gambling, alcohol, and other drugs during their lifetime.
What is the financial cost of addiction to Australia as revealed in the report?
-The financial cost of addiction to Australia is a staggering 80 billion dollars.
What additional cost is mentioned in terms of lives lost and productivity due to addiction?
-There is an additional cost of 175 billion dollars in terms of lives lost and productivity due to addiction.
What is the issue with accessing treatment for addiction in Australia as per the experts?
-Up to half a million Australians who want treatment can't access the help they need.
What are the experts calling for in response to the addiction crisis in Australia?
-Experts are calling for greater investment in education and prevention, and for all sides of government to take the issue seriously and come up with an evidence-based national plan.
What kind of policy is being suggested to reduce the cost of addiction to society?
-The suggestion is to introduce more effective prevention and treatment policy that can reduce the cost of addiction to society.
What is Ben Venka's current role in helping others with addiction?
-Ben Venka has retrained as a counselor and now helps others who are battling addiction.
What positive impact does Ben Venka see in his work with people battling addiction?
-Ben sees the life come back to someone's eyes, their ability to connect with people again, and gives them hope for a clean and sober life.
What does Ben Venka consider as proof that addiction isn't a life sentence?
-Ben's own transformation and his work helping others recover from addiction serve as proof that addiction isn't a life sentence.
Outlines
🏃♂️ Transforming Through Running
The script introduces Ben Venka, a once alcohol-addicted individual who found redemption and a new passion in running. After rehab, instead of succumbing to his addiction, Ben would go for a run, which he describes as 'amazing.' The narrative then shifts to discuss the broader issue of addiction in Australia, with one in four Australians struggling with gambling, alcohol, and other drugs. The financial cost of addiction is highlighted as a staggering 80 to 175 billion dollars, with additional losses in productivity and lives. The report calls for greater investment in education and prevention, urging the government to develop an evidence-based national plan to address the issue. Ben, now a counselor, helps others battle addiction, emphasizing the importance of hope and the possibility of a clean and sober life.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Runner
💡Alcohol Addiction
💡Rehab
💡Financial Cost
💡Productivity
💡Education and Prevention
💡National Plan
💡Counselor
💡Hope
💡Lives Lost
Highlights
Ben Venka, once in the grip of alcohol addiction, is now an avid runner.
Rehabilitation played a crucial role in Ben's transformation from addiction to a healthy lifestyle.
Instead of drinking, Ben found solace and amazement in running after returning home.
One in four Australians may face issues with gambling, alcohol, and other drugs in their lifetime.
A recent report reveals the financial cost of addiction to Australia is a staggering 80 billion dollars.
In addition to financial costs, addiction results in a loss of 175 billion dollars in terms of lives and productivity.
Experts indicate that up to half a million Australians who seek treatment cannot access the help they need.
There is a call for greater investment in education and prevention to combat addiction.
A national plan based on evidence is being urged by experts to address the addiction issue seriously.
The government is encouraged to introduce more effective prevention and treatment policies.
Ben Venka, retrained as a counselor, now helps others battling addiction, witnessing the restoration of hope and life.
The impact of seeing life return to someone's eyes and their reconnection with others is profound.
Ben's story serves as proof that addiction does not have to be a life sentence.
Sophie Scott from ABC News reports on the significant and practical implications of addiction on Australian society.
The report emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to reduce the societal costs of addiction.
The transcript underscores the importance of accessible treatment and support for those struggling with addiction.
Transcripts
Ben venka is an avid Runner a Pastime
that would have been Unthinkable when he
was in the throes of alcohol Addiction
Rehab helped turn his life around
instead of getting home and going inside
and starting to drink I would get home
put on my running gear and head out for
a run and that felt amazing one in four
Australians will struggle with gambling
Alcohol and Other Drugs during their
lifetime a report today revealed the
financial cost of that addiction what
that gave us is a really you know
comprehensive picture of the true cost
of addiction to Australia a staggering
80 billion dollars and 175 billion
dollars additional in terms of lives
lost in terms of productivity experts
say up to half a million Australians who
want treatment can't access help they
want greater investment in education and
prevention we're calling on all sides of
government to take this issue seriously
to come up with an evidence-based
National plan the government can um
introduce more effective prevention and
treatment policy that can effectively
reduce the cost of addiction to the
society
and retrained as a counselor and now
helps others who are battling addiction
to be able to see the life come back to
someone's eyes and to see them connect
with people again and to have hope that
they can live a clean and so the life is
a is a wonderful thing to be a part of
he's proof addiction isn't a life
sentence Sophie Scott ABC News
Ricky
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