The Addiction Conundrum: A Call to Action for Integrated Care at CSBMG

By CSBMG Communications | May 30, 2025

The connection between addiction and hospitalization remains a pressing concern for communities across the nation—including those served by the Community Service Board of Middle Georgia (CSBMG). According to recent research, approximately 9.7% of U.S. adults with a substance use disorder (SUD) were hospitalized in 2022, compared to 8.4% of the general adult population (Oss, 2025). This seemingly small gap translates to nearly 442,000 additional hospital admissions, underscoring the significant toll untreated addiction takes on individuals and the health care system alike.

Substance-specific trends further highlight the urgency. For example, adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD) had a hospitalization rate of 7.3%, while those with opioid use disorder (OUD) faced a staggering 23.6% hospitalization rate (Oss, 2025). With an estimated 28.3 million individuals affected by AUD and 5.7 million by OUD, these figures represent both a public health crisis and a strategic imperative.

Hospitalized individuals with addiction disorders were more likely to be older, medically complex, and dually diagnosed with serious mental illness (Oss, 2025). This reality places additional strain on providers, particularly those working under performance-based or value-based reimbursement models where hospital readmissions and emergency department utilization can negatively impact financial sustainability.

As a provider committed to recovery-oriented care, CSBMG recognizes this challenge as an opportunity. Innovative organizations across the country are already advancing solutions—many of which mirror our own integrated care goals. At Elevance Health, for example, internal data revealed that the total cost of care doubles for members with any behavioral health condition and triples for those with OUD, with IV drug users incurring 77% higher overall care costs (Oss, 2025).

To meet this challenge head-on, experts recommend several key strategies:

• Integrate primary care with addiction treatment: As new contaminants in illicit drugs cause greater physical harm, some agencies are is exploring options to expand clinical offerings and billing capabilities for both behavioral and physical health services. Without these capabilities, providers often face the choice of absorbing the cost of care or discharging clients to under-resourced environments like shelters (Oss, 2025).
• Enhance data systems for early intervention: Real-time, localized data—by zip code, age group, and race—can support earlier, more targeted responses. This data-driven approach not only helps mitigate emergency admissions but also opens pathways for more equitable resource allocation (Oss, 2025).
• Embrace flexible, client-centered models: The traditional model of requiring individuals to engage in treatment on rigid terms is no longer viable. Harm reduction, same-day medication initiation, and community-based outreach are critical tools in addressing the complex needs of those affected by addiction (Oss, 2025).
• Leverage Medicaid waivers and opioid settlement funds: These resources can fund integrated treatment initiatives, support sustainability, and reduce financial risk—so long as organizations have strong data and outcomes to back their proposals (Oss, 2025).

At CSBMG, our commitment to expanding recovery-oriented services is rooted in this evolving landscape. We are actively working to integrate care, reduce preventable hospitalizations, and empower our community with evidence-based solutions that support long-term recovery.

To learn more about national trends in addiction treatment and how organizations like CSBMG can lead the way, visit the OPEN MINDS Industry Library or consider attending meetings where industry standards and new treatment options are discussed, and follow along social media and through EBP publications and articles on updates on current practices and treatment perspectives.

References
Oss, M. E. (2025, May 28). The addiction conundrum. OPEN MINDS. https://www.openminds.com