We all know that financial troubles can be one of the most stressful parts of life. When you’ve just completed drug or alcohol rehab and are ready to return to everyday life, you might find yourself struggling under the burden of paying for treatment or trying to recoup money lost while you were using. Many people spend money they don’t really have to spare on drugs and alcohol, and the loss of a job or a demotion due to substance abuse is fairly common. Money problems can be a serious trigger for relapse, and understanding your finances, learning how to budget, and coming up with a plan for financial stability are all important to recovery.
If you’re not familiar with budgeting, don’t panic. There are a few simple steps that help you lay the groundwork. Write down your total income for the month. Take into account how much money you have coming in from various sources, like employment and Social Security. Note the categories where you’ve spent money and see if there is any wasteful spending that can be eliminated. Don’t forget to take into account any continuing costs from your treatment, like medications or transport to and from outpatient therapy or group meetings. This is, unfortunately, a time where you’re likely to have to be frugal, and you’ll need to allocate money for essentials like food and utilities at the expense of more frivolous things like eating out or trips to the movies. This doesn’t mean you can’t have any enjoyment in life – there are plenty of activities that are low-cost, fun, and will help further your recovery. These can include self-guided exercise, meditation, and yoga. If you need help figuring out how to set up and keep track of a budget, there is a worksheet available through the Federal Trade Commission’s website.
If you don’t have a job, take whatever you can find in the beginning. When you have money coming in, even if it’s not as much as you’d like, this relieves some of the stress on your finances and gives you time to work toward getting a degree or training for the job you really want. Save what you can. You might not make a killing in the stock market straight out of recovery, but every little bit counts. Open a savings account or just hide five dollars under your mattress every month, and eventually, it will grow.
If you don’t think you can trust yourself with money in the beginning and you have someone you trust to assist you, there are prepaid cards available specifically for people in recovery and those who might be financially supporting them. It’s called the NextStep Prepaid MasterCard, and it gives family members or guardians control over funds while teaching people in recovery how to manage their money.
If you or a loved one need help to quit drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504.
