Top Recovery Money Management Tips

Addiction undoubtedly takes a toll on the body, but other aspects of life also suffer especially the bank account. Chronic, prolonged substance misuse is expensive! It’s an all-consuming disease that starts to strip away a person’s ability to function in society. In addiction recovery, patients work hard to rebuild their health, but also their wealth, as many are plagued with debt or have lost their ability to work. Learning to handle money properly and plan for a life in recovery will require focus and determination, but there is a very rewarding light at the end of the tunnel.  

Money and Relapse Triggers 

Traditionally, the biggest addiction triggers are people, places, and things, but there is a fourth one on the list: money. Many who have struggled with addiction have spent their life savings, plunged into deep debts, and some have found themselves homeless and selling their possessions to fund their addiction. Through the course of these hardships, many develop an unhealthy relationship with money, meaning that any funds they come across immediately go towards their substance of choice. Poor money management in recovery could lead to temptation and triggers once steady employment starts filling an account with funds needed for essentials and budgeting—not for drugs or alcohol. 

Employment and Payment 

While overall health and well-being are top priorities in recovery, many want to return to work as soon as possible. No matter how menial or sporadic, jobs fill up time, keep boredom at bay, and create an income stream to pay for life’s basics. However, jumping into a career or full-time employment too soon could cause recovery to backslide due to unmitigated triggers and too much stress. People re-entering the workforce while in recovery are highly encouraged to pace themselves and not solely focus on amassing as much money as they can, but instead find a good balance that won’t threaten their sobriety while still fulfilling their desire to work. 

Spending and Budgeting  

There are numerous resources for people in recovery that need help getting their financial situation in order, but a handful of simple steps can get the ball rolling in the right direction: 

• Make a list of debts owed to family and friends 
• Separate needs from wants, prioritizing rent, debt, and essentials 

• Creating a weekly and monthly budget 
• Establishing a savings bank account with limited access to large sums of cash via debit card 
• Keeping daily and weekly cash amounts stored in sealed envelopes  
• Reaching out to free financial planning programs through banks 
• Negotiating with creditors for feasible payback plans through the bank 

• Discussing legal advice with attorneys regarding bankruptcy, free for low-income individuals  
• Setting up monthly and yearly savings goals 
• Limiting frivolous spending and allowing for “treats” only when goals or milestones are met 

HCRC helps thousands of people treat their substance use disorder with medication-assisted treatment and substance use counseling. Programs that combine medication and counseling have been shown to increase a patient’s chances of achieving long-lasting recovery and improved health. To learn more about the programs at HCRC or to speak with an intake administrator, call or message the nearest location today.  

Medically Reviewed By:

Health Care Resource Centers Clinical Team

Health Care Resource Centers Clinical Team

The Clinical Team at Health Care Resource Centers is our team of physicians and medical directors within the organization. HCRC is a CARF accredited organization and has been providing addiction treatment services for over 32 years in the New England area.