In addition to the toll that substance abuse takes on your physical and mental health, it can also be quite expensive. The challenges you may face in holding down a job and paying your bills can further complicate your financial situation. When you need help with financial problems caused by addiction, you have some positive alternatives available to you.
The Costs of Addiction
On many levels, addiction can be very costly. When you have a substance use disorder, the costs to purchase drugs or alcohol can add up quickly. If you have an alcohol addiction and you drink heavily every night, you could spend over $4,300 a year just on your addictive habits. The cost of a drug addiction is even greater. You could end up spending over $10,000 a year on illegal drugs such as cocaine and heroin.
There are other costs involved in your addiction, which can result in financial challenges for you and your family. Your addiction could cause you to miss work or even lose your job because you are not able to show up on time or fulfill your responsibilities there. Addiction can also cause health problems, which can drive up medical bills.
You could also face significant legal bills from driving under the influence or purchasing illegal drugs. Financial challenges can also result in missing your mortgage or rent payments or your car payments, which can cause you to have to find a new place to live or another form of transportation.
Recovering Financially
You can get help with financial problems caused by addiction from a number of sources, including family and friends. However, the key is to be sure you are able to handle your finances appropriately as you move through your addiction treatment and recovery. You can take the steps necessary to get back on steady ground, financially, but it will take some effort and a lot of focus on the end goal.
Start by listing your priorities. If you’ve lost your job or your home, you’ll need a plan to get back on track with a steady income. Finding a job may seem daunting after an addiction, but there are many employers who are more than willing to give someone in recovery a chance. Rather than blindly sending out applications, use your network and talk to prospective employers about your situation.
Then you will need to set up a budget and stick to it. A budget should include the basics of housing, food, utilities, and transportation. Develop the spending mindset that if something is not in your budget, you cannot spend money on it. You will probably also need to include previous debts on the budget until they are paid off. By following the plan, you’ll have much less stress when it comes time to pay your bills each month.
Financial Counseling
Getting help with financial problems also involves getting help understanding how to develop that plan effectively. Many people simply do not know how to create or stay with a budget. You can turn to your supportive network of family members and friends to guide you through the process. A financial counselor, or someone with experience in setting up a spreadsheet for you, can also help. A counselor, in particular, knows how to set up your plan so you can recover financially as you recover from your addiction.
It also helps to identify someone in your supportive network who can hold you accountable for your spending habits. Reach out to a friend or family member that you trust and ask them to keep track of your income and expenses for a few months, at least until you are ready to manage it responsibly on your own.
Cash and the Relapse Potential
Paying your bills online will help you manage your expenses more efficiently. You will also want to have your paycheck deposited directly into a checking account. In addiction recovery, you may want to avoid having any significant amount of cash on hand. If you have a debit card, set it up so that you cannot get cash at an ATM. Cash can be a trigger for relapse, as you may flash back to when you used cash to pay for your drugs when you were addicted.
Build up a savings account by having money automatically transferred from your checking account on a regular basis. If possible, hide the savings account on your online account so that you are not tempted to withdraw the money as it accumulates. Focus on paying your bills and moving your life forward in recovery, both financially and for your physical and mental health.
Addiction Treatment in Hemet, California
Drug addiction can have serious negative effects on your financial situation as well as your mental and physical health. The professionals at Hemet Valley Recovery Center offer you the highest degree of medical, psychological, and spiritual expertise to guide you through mental health and addiction treatment and recovery so you can discover your true potential in life.
It is difficult to be in recovery every day, and it can be even more challenging during the pandemic. Should you find yourself struggling at any point, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact us at HRVC for more information on our addiction treatment and recovery support programs.
