If you or a loved one has struggled with addiction, you may understand the negative impact it can have on a person’s life.
Drug abuse can take a physical and mental toll on a person, causing problems in every area of their life. While physical repercussions and relationship problems are the things people immediately think of regarding addiction, the financial effects of drug abuse are also very real.
As a drug and alcohol rehab center in Philadelphia, we know that substance abuse can bring someone to the point of debt and even homelessness. A person’s physical dependency on a drug can cost them their jobs, homes, families, and lives.
Financial Burdens of Substance Abuse
It’s not uncommon for individuals who abuse drugs to struggle with the financial costs of addiction. An addiction is a disease that takes control of your life. As your physical dependency on the substance develops, your mind may be stuck in a never-ending loop, thinking about your next fix. This can make it difficult for an addict to prioritize their finances and stay away from drugs. There are several reasons why drug addiction and money problems go hand in hand.
Drug Abuse is Expensive
Drugs cost money. Although this may be common knowledge, people may only think of the short-term costs of drugs as their dependency develops. They may not think of the accumulated cost until they find themselves in a tight financial situation. People don’t normally plan for these future money problems because they don’t normally plan on becoming addicted. Addiction is a long-term disease that intensifies over time. The longer the person’s substance abuse problem persists, the more of a tolerance they’ll develop and the more drugs they’ll use. Because that person will always require more drugs to experience the same effects, the amount of money they spend on their addiction will continuously increase.
With addiction treatment, individuals in this position can prevent the financial effects of drug abuse and the other problems it can cause. At Banyan Philadelphia, we offer a partial hospitalization program that helps people recover from the effects of addiction and learn different ways to sustain their sobriety after rehab.
Neglected Responsibilities
Although the direct costs of drug abuse may be clear, there are other ways addiction can indirectly cause financial problems. The physical effects of drug abuse often prevent individuals from completing basic tasks. Responsibilities like going to work, paying the bills, or taking care of the kids could all fall through the cracks when a person’s thoughts are centered on their next fix. If a person goes to work under the influence of drugs, they may struggle to fulfill their obligations and cause problems for the company. They could lose their job as a result and struggle to support themselves and their family. Even if this does happen, they will most likely continue to use drugs and spend money on their addiction.
Many individuals who get to this point may be in denial about their substance abuse problem, regardless of the way it’s affecting their life. That’s why we provide intervention services in Langhorne, so you could sit down with the individual to have a constructive conversation about their addiction and the benefits of treatment.
Health Problems and Medical Bills
Battling with addiction is bad enough, but long-term drug abuse can cause other health problems. People who don’t seek out addiction treatment increase their chances of overdosing, developing a chronic health condition, and even death. Medical issues that result from addiction can also be very costly, especially if you don’t have insurance.
Aside from the direct physical effects of drug abuse, being under the influence can also lead to risky behavior. For example, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol increases your chances of causing an accident and hurting yourself and others. The way these substances are ingested can also cause problems. Individuals who use needles are at a higher risk of getting bacterial infections and diseases like HIV and hepatitis. Many people who have a dependency on drugs suffer from liver disease, cancer, mental illness, or organ failure. The costs of medical treatment can eventually add up, leaving the person in debt.
Legal Problems
The financial effects of drug addiction can also cause and result from legal problems. Many drugs are illegal, and being caught by authorities can put you in hot water with the legal system. Court costs and attorney fees can rack up, putting a severe strain on your finances. Many people who are incarcerated have trouble keeping their finances in check and may struggle to find a job after their release. This could cause long-term financial problems that may take years to rectify.
At Banyan Treatment Centers Philadelphia, we know how easy it can be to neglect your responsibilities and experience money problems with drug abuse. The best way to avoid these issues is by receiving addiction treatment and turning your life around. Not only will you be able to straighten out your finances, but you will also improve your health and relationships with loved ones.