Managing Money and Addiction Recovery
In recovery, you heard a lot about emotions, spirituality, and self-awareness. One thing you probably didn't hear enough about was money management even though it might be one of the most important keys to a successful recovery. Why? Many addicts use up their entire life savings to fund their addiction. As soon as they receive cash, they spend it on drugs until they find their way into homelessness, poverty, and debt. Even those who don't find themselves in financial ruin begin to associate spending money with the rush of getting high. This can turn money into a powerful trigger or lead to spending on other things becoming a replacement addiction. For these reasons, money management is just as important as the "Big Three" — people, places, and things to avoid — and it is critical to understand this fourth threat to sobriety.
