It’s not like you have to be a financial expert to deduce that addiction causes monetary trouble. However, things are way more complex than they seem at first sight. Let’s begin by saying that substance addiction has greater consequences than various financial issues that go hand-in-hand with it. Therefore, we won’t focus solely on the financial aspect of addiction. However, you can say that it will serve as the backbone of this article. Without further ado, let’s see how addiction will cause not only financial trouble all kinds of social and emotional problems as well.
#1 Expensive habits
Needless to say, the very substance you’re addicted to will drain funds from your wallet on a daily basis. Of course, things aren’t so heavy in the beginning. You might think you don’t need much of it since you’re not addicted to it. Many folks don’t actually venture into this “adventure” thinking they’ll get addicted. But before you know it, things quickly take a turn for the worse. As your addiction deepens, the cost of supporting it will only grow until it becomes all-consuming. In other words, the quantity of the substance you crave will only rise over time since tolerance also increases with sustained use.
#2 Paying for legal fees
Of course, not everyone battling substance addiction will have to handle legal fees, but it’s not uncommon. In fact, many drug users engage in criminal activity to support their habit. And stealing is usually the most popular sport for addicts. If caught in the middle of the act – they might be arrested and charged, and legal fees tend to be quite large. Because of this, legal fees are one of the top reasons how addiction can cause financial trouble.
Not to mention that having drugs in possession is a reason enough to get contained in the first place. To phrase it differently, you could get charged for simply having an addiction to this or that substance, including alcohol. Since drinking in public or while driving is illegal, an alcoholic might easily get caught up in financial (legal) trouble because of the two bans.
#3 A negative influence on spouse/partner finances
Folks who struggle with alcohol or drug addictions might negatively influence their partners’ finances. One of the widespread examples is the following situation: people “sporting” active addiction might steal or lie about using their spouse’s/partner’s finances. It’s not only financial issues since they’re also causing some problems with the trust within the relationship. They’re putting their status as trustful individuals very much in jeopardy. Also, many folks with addicts for partners or spouses are dedicated to helping their peers stay safe, meaning that if you have an addict for a partner – most of the ordinary life costs will probably fall on you. In a way, the partner can also become an addict, one that is addicted to helping their loved one no matter the cost. All in all, addiction will seriously strain the family finances and the well-being of both partners involved in the relationship.
Addiction doesn’t financially hit just the addicts; their spouses will also feel the financial strain of it.
#4 Loss of productivity and, eventually, income
Needless to say, it’s not easy to secure a job for someone addicted to substances. At first, it might seem doable, but as addiction gets worse, the loss of productivity becomes quite evident to everyone around the person in question. That might eventually lead to losing your job. Even worse, your current boss might publicly label you as an addict, and other employers will not even consider hiring you. There’s no need to emphasize that cutting your primary source of income isn’t something you’d call recommended in a financial sense. Also, addicts have a hard time finding a new job, and the more you stay jobless, the bigger of a financial drought you’ll suffer.
#5 Debts…
An indebted addict is one of the most stereotypical pictures. We know we’re tediously repeating the whole “as your addiction gets worse…” but the worst your addiction gets, the more your debts only pile up to a point where you no longer feel safe. Owing money to very suspicious individuals isn’t exactly the safest thing out there, right? Right. So, yeah, there’s a good chance that you’ll have to organize impromptu yard sales or something so you can pay off your debts and all.
You’ll hardly find an addict that isn’t heavily indebted.
#6 Rehab costs
At a certain point, you’ll know that it’s time for rehab. Now, if you recognize the signs that it’s time to get help, whether someone close to you is an addict or you’re an addict yourself, you’ll need to do something about it. Not to mention that rehab centers can be quite expensive. However, this financial issue is probably the least problematic on this list. A person can start living again after they’ve been through the treatment.
#7 Costs on society
Last but not least, let’s consider the financial cost of addiction to the society we’re living in. Did you know that drug addiction costs our society billions of dollars? We’re talking healthcare expenditures, enforcement of drug laws, and so on. For instance, in 2006, excessive drinking (alcoholism) cost the US about $223 billion. On the other hand, drug use costs another $193 billion. Still, here’s some optimism for the end: for each dollar spent on treating addicts, another four dollars are saved on healthcare costs.
The bottom line
And that is how addiction can cause some serious financial trouble. As you have read, it’s not that the addicts are the only ones affected by its financial toll. Addiction will plague everything surrounding it (and not just financially). If there’s someone you love nearing the addiction arena, try to do everything that’s in your power to deter them and help them once again take control over their lives! That’s why we need to get more serious about it.
