09/19/2026
Using the Fletcher Group Economic Calculator, one person in recovery for one year or more yields $75,106 in economic benefits for each year that the person is in recovery. This value of $75,106 in economic benefits per year is calculated to account for direct cost savings (avoided healthcare, productivity and criminal justice costs) as well as reduced premature mortality risk.
The Economic Calculator (developed by Dr. Madison Ashworth and her colleagues at Fletcher Group, Inc) quantifies the economic benefits of recovery. It uses a cost-benefit model that calculates the costs, benefits, net benefits, and return on investment of a recovery program and it a great tool to help recovery homes and other recovery organizations gain the crucially important support of stakeholders, funders, community members and government officials. Return on investment (“ROI”) calculations also contribute to better decisions regarding potential financial outlays.
Thank you Dr. Ashworth for sharing this important tool with our Recovery Housing Accelerator cohort last week! What a resource!
Citation: Ashworth M, Johnson D, Meyer G, Thompson R. Fletcher Group Economic Calculator. Fletcher Group, Inc.; 2023. https://www.fletchergroup.org/economiccalculator