If you have been staying up late at night trying to figure out how to get help for your alcohol addiction, we might have some good news for you. In 2014, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) takes effect; alcohol and drug addiction treatment are just a couple of the health care issues addressed in the ACA, but for some, they are the most important.

According to Kaiser Health News, drug and alcohol addiction will be officially recognized as a disease by the ACA; rehabilitation will be recognized as an essential health care need for an estimated 40 million people in the U.S who do not already receive addiction health care benefits.

Affordable Care Act & Coverage For Pre-existing Conditions

In the health care market place currently, pre-existing conditions and high insurance rates prevent people from receiving health care benefits. Premiums for some are so ridiculously expensive, that the consumer is forced to sacrifice health-care for other necessities.

It’s no secret that the insurance market is big business; most providers deny the multitudes because of pre-existing medical conditions. This school of thought brings about a certain frustration for Americans who are fighting for their lives day in and day out, because of on-going medical issues.

The Affordable Care Act: Making Insurance Coverage Affordable & Effective

According to the ACA, health-care coverage will be affordable for the people who qualify; there is expected to be a large reduction in insurance rates by private and public insurance coverage expansion.

Insurance companies will be mandated to offer all people, regardless of health condition, the same insurance rates. A new minimum standard will be set for insurances companies – meaning that they will be forced to treat people in accordance to a minimum standard set by the federal government.

If your think that you don’t need insurance because you never get sick, think again.The ACA also pushes every American to get health insurance. U.S. Citizens who neglect their responsibility to carry health-care insurance, will be fined, and/or penalized.

The Affordable Care Act Means Alcoholism is Treated as a Disease

The American Medical Association (AMA) officially classified alcoholism as a disease in the 1950’s, but it has yet to be recognized by the American Government in such a way. This will change with the introduction of the ACA.

By making substance abuse treatment one of the 10 essential treatments, it puts addiction on the main stage when it comes to healthcare.

This is a real game changer.

Employment needs for the drug and alcohol treatment industry are already spiking in anticipation for the ACA of 2014. Doctors, nurses, and all other health-care related professions are anticipated to see rapid growth within the years to come.