Managing Money in Recovery

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Recovery is a wonderful journey, but being in recovery does not make you exempt from life. Life brings bills and responsibility. Managing money in recovery can be challenging. Many people in early recovery may be afraid to have too much money in their pockets because money can be a trigger. Managing money can also be stressful, but try not to be alarmed. You can enjoy your recovery and responsibly manage your finances.

For some recovering fellows, having money can be a trigger to use drugs or drink alcohol. Money is how you pay rent, put food on the table, and it was also how you bought alcohol or drugs. Some people in early recovery have difficulty around payday or when they have large amounts of cash on them. If this describes you, there are things you can do to manage your money more effectively.

Try doing the following if money feel like a trigger to use:

  • Open a savings account
  • Limit the amount of cash you carry
  • Let your spouse, loved one, or sober friend hold cash
  • Be honest with yourself about your triggers
  • Start doing healthy activities with your cash i.e. adventures, hobbies, or saving for the future

Financial health reduces your stress levels. If you are overwhelmed with debts you can’t pay, you are more likely to feel stress, worry, and even triggered to use or drink. Managing your money responsibly is an important part of sober living. Sobriety is about being responsible to yourself and others. This principle includes paying your debts and saving for your future.

You want to be careful about replacing addictions, as well. Some recovering people have found that they picked up shopping excessively after becoming sober. This does not make you a bad person, but shopping too much can stir up excitement and pleasure. These feelings are similar to the rush you feel from drug and alcohol use.

If you have been struggling with healthy money management, you can talk about our challenges with a counselor. You may want to check your local area for free classes about healthy money management. Healthy money management and your emotional health go hand in hand.

At The Kimberly Center, we care about not only about you recovery, but also your financial health. The Kimberly Center can help you navigate all aspects of recovery. Call us now at 855-4-KCENTER. At the Kimberly Center, our clients are in trusted hands.

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