The process of recovery after addiction is long and hard. There are bridges to mend, mistakes to correct, and apologies to make. And it is by no means uncommon that people find themselves in considerable trouble once they decide to put their addiction behind them. So, to make your journey to recovery a bit easier, we will give you a couple of tips on how to financially recover after addiction.
What makes it difficult to recover financially after Addiction?
Before we get into different ways in which people can make a financial recovery after addiction, we ought to consider different factors that make this difficult. After all, each person has to overcome their own obstacles during this arduous process. And the better we understand what is ahead, the better we can prepare.
Accumulated Debts
Most serious addictions lead to debt accumulation. If people don’t have control over their addiction, they are likely to borrow money to feed it. At first, this is from friends. Then from family. Then from anyone willing to hear them out. As a result, they often accumulate quite a bit of debt. Dealing with these debts is a big problem for most addicts, as they need to find work that will support their everyday lives and help them pay off debts.
Cost of Sobering Up
Quitting cold turkey and simply going on with their daily lives is practically impossible for any serious addict. After all, if it were, there would hardly be any addicts left. The process of sobering up can be difficult, costly, and often dangerous. Addicts use their health insurance to cover their rehab. But this depends on what type of insurance you have and how expensive your rehab clinic is.
Problems with Finding Work
Addiction can affect a person’s mental state, physical appearance, and general health. As such, it can be challenging to find work. If the person managed to keep their skillset during the addiction and not alienate their former colleagues too much, they should have a decent time finding a job. If not, it might be best to look for outside support and not overstress yourself.
Lack of Help from Friends and Family
An important aspect to remember is that friends and family can help when recovering from an addiction, but they may have become frustrated with your past behavior. Most people who overcame their addiction have done so because of their determination and discipline. Friends and family do help. Especially when it comes to financial recovery and balancing your budget, they can provide you with housing and even aid you with basic daily needs. But, the war with addiction is a solitary one.
The process of Financial Recovery
Now that we have a basic understanding of some obstacles let’s take a closer look at how to actually financially recover after addiction.
Rehab
In the case of drug and alcohol abuse, the treatment can cost between $3,000 and $20,000, based on your needs and location. Therefore, before you check into a clinic, ask for the price upfront. Also, inquire about which services you get with your treatment and what part of it can be covered by insurance. Some rehab centers help clean you up and give you skills you can use, like financial independence, once you get back out.
If you have some form of insurance, it is essential to know what part of your rehab it will cover. You need to call the insurance company and ask about the following. If you cannot, have someone you trust do it for you. The important aspects to cover are:
- Deductibles
- Copayments
- In-network facilities
- Days covered
- Medications
- Additional services
Finding Work
Once you manage to go through the initial stage, it is important to find work. Doing so will not only help you financially recover after addiction but will also give you a reason to keep yourself clean. But, it is important to recognize that not all lines of work are suitable for someone that battles addiction. It should be fairly obvious that a person that was addicted to alcohol shouldn’t work in a bar. Just like a former gambler shouldn’t work in a casino. It is paramount that you find work that won’t put you in situations where you can relapse. Ideally, you will find a stable line of work that doesn’t carry a lot of stress.
Track Your Expenses
In order to climb your way out of financial trouble, it is paramount that you keep close track of your expenses. In the modern day and age, you can make all your transactions digital. And, if you are serious about keeping track of your spending, you should do so. Avoid using cash as it might lead to you buying addictive substances or simply not being aware of how much you spend. Once you know your financial situation, you can look to lower your household bills and budget everyday living expenses. You can even install apps to help you keep track of your finances and ensure that you don’t have any unpleasant surprises at the end of the month.
Final thoughts
The final piece of advice we have for you is to prioritize recovery. Yes, it might take months or even years to fully financially recover after addiction. This, of course, depends on what you went through and what you wish to fix. But, you should never lose track of your health due to money troubles. Find a stable environment that supports your recovery, and try your best to stay clean. There are plenty of people that will wish to help you, both in the state system and outside of it. But, it is paramount that you take accountability for your actions and that you treat your addiction as the destructive force it is.
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