Using data from 2001 to 2004, this study compares the medical costs and prevalence of health conditions in family members of individuals with substance or alcohol dependence with those for family members of people with diabetes and asthma.  The study found that, in the year before initial diagnosis, family members of substance abusers were more likely to be diagnosed with substance disorder, depression or trauma than family members of diabetes and asthma patients.  In addition, family members of substance abusers had higher total health care costs in the first and second years following diagnosis.

Ray, G. T., J. R. Mertens, et al. (2007). The excess medical cost and health problems of family members of persons diagnosed with alcohol or drug problems. Medical Care 45(2), 116-22. DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2008.02447.x http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17224773 

Authors: G. Thomas Ray, Jennifer R. Mertens, Constance Weisner

See also:

Ray, G. T., J. R. Mertens, et al. (2009). Family members of people with alcohol or drug dependence: health problems and medical cost compared to family members of people with diabetes and asthma. Addiction, 104(2): 203-214. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19149814