Addiction and personal debt, two troubling problems that unfortunately feed the initial sickness. However, it is imperative to understand that these displeasing scenarios can both be overcome with perseverance, focus, dedication, and even outside help.

Someone who may be actively addicted to drugs, alcohol, or any other addiction for that matter, generally tends to spend a substantial amount of money on his or her habit. With constant spending, there is also the lack of empathy regarding one’s personal financial responsibilities. With addiction, responsible decisions generally aren’t the first thing on the addicts mind. This absence in responsibility can generate a spiral effect where the addict suffers from depression associated with their financial troubles, then turns to their addiction for escape and so on and so on.

Suicide rates have been shown to rise among addicts and people who are in serious financial crisis. It’s hard to say which came first – mental health issues, debt, or addiction. Someone with mental health issues might go on a spending spree to self- medicate, or even start gambling. With the immense increase in debt among Americans today, of all ages, it begs the question, what is being done to help the crisis?

Fortunately, there are places to go to for help. There are rehabilitation centers that focus on helping addicts recover and get back on the path to wellness and to be mentally sound to address daily responsibilities associated with their financial health. Prescott House, Inc. for example, is a nationally recognized long-term rehabilitation and addiction treatment center for men in Prescott, Arizona. Prescott House has programs for addictions of all kinds, and includes adventure programs in its treatment plan. There is also an aftercare program in-house to ensure one’s success in sobriety after treatment. These treatment centers offer various degrees of counseling, education, and activities geared toward helping men acquire successful life skills so they can commit to an addiction-free lifestyle. Through physical activity they learn to have self-confidence and belief in their ability to live without relying on drugs or alcohol. Through education they learn more about their own addiction and how to conquer it. And through counseling they get the help they need to talk through the underlying issues that brought them to where they are at that moment in time.

Debt is a stressor that can affect both physical and mental health. Alternatively, depression can also lead to financial woes. It is imperative to gain control on a financial situation before it gains a severity in the level of effect is has on one’s daily life. There are numerous debt counselors that can help one understand and alleviate their burdens. Additionally, many services have begun to also offer financial assistance to start a routine of positive financial moves.

These may be small steps towards a brighter future for those suffering from debt, depression, and/or addiction. The key is that there are in fact steps being taken and there are resources readily available to ensure a brighter future lies ahead for anyone under the burden of their addiction illness or the dark cloud of debt.

Ray

Ray

Ray is an ex-financial adviser and the founder of Financial Highway. Currently working in the financial industry and working towards completing his Chartered Financial Analyst, CFA, designation.