Addictions can be difficult enough to work through on their own due to various physical and emotional hardships. Something that can make this process even more difficult is addressing the financial debt we may have acquired while not yet sober. Facing these financial struggles can be daunting for many because it seems unending and filled with uncomfortable feelings such as shame and regret. Despite these negative emotions, it is well worth it to go through this potentially lengthy process. While this process may not lead to instant gratification, it can lead to relief, freedom, and security.
How Do I Start?
The first step to regaining financial security begins, of course, by getting help to better your mind, body, and spirit. Ensuring a clear mind, healthy body, and fulfilled spirit can grant you the resilience to acknowledge your financial setbacks. When we fail to meet these basic needs, it becomes far more challenging to stay sober, let alone acknowledge financial safety. During these times, we do not have enough clarity to tune in with ourselves and the world around us. This is why initially seeking out help to fulfill these needs is a significant element for advancing our financial statuses.
Sometimes the most difficult, frightening part of this process can simply be addressing the debt we accrued over time. One thing that can help to ease this potential anxious moment is by having supportive, trusted people by our side during this step. Not only can these individuals help us stay accountable, but they can also assure us that things will work out while encouraging much-needed self-compassion. By trusting ourselves and having external support during the scary, doubtful moments, we can begin diving into the process of gaining financial security.
Long-lasting Financial Security
Rather than having short spurts of financial certainty followed by more turmoils, we can train ourselves to learn how to obtain long-lasting financial security instead. However, most of us have never been taught how to execute this difficult task in our lives thus far. That is why working with coaches or mentors is so helpful. Through them, we can learn the necessary skills to pay off our debts and bills, maintain a stable job, and even save up money.
One thing you may learn along the way is how to decipher needs from wants. Spending your money frivolously prevents you from consuming your basic, everyday needs and eventually causes you to gain more debt. Differentiating between needs and wants within your everyday life can help you train yourself to avoid frivolous spending. Learning to focus your spending on necessities such as food, rent/house payments, utilities, and transportation helps ensure that you will not go into debt while also enabling you to take care of yourself continuously.
Another lesson that is necessary to comprehend is being able to earn a job and keep it. Sometimes it can be disheartening and stressful to accept this reality because many people grow quite comfortable in recovery while not having a job. This is understandable because having a job takes more time out of your day, which means having less time to focus on developing yourself.
However, this does not mean that working a job will mean having to sacrifice your priority of self-growth. Instead, it can be viewed as an empowering accomplishment. Through having a job, you are a contributing member of society again. You get to earn an income for your hard work while continuing your recovery work. You have so much worth, and having a job can show you that others see and value your worth, as well.
How This Benefits Sobriety
Spending money frivolously can cause one to experience an abundant amount of stress. For someone already battling addiction, this added stress only makes it more challenging to stay sober. In gaining financial security through taking care of yourself, learning more about money, and developing skills to achieve this goal, you can better ensure your sobriety.
Being financially secure and responsible also means having your basic needs met daily. This then indicates that you are better equipped to fuel your mind, body, and spirit with all of the things they need to flourish. When these aspects are well taken care of, you are far less likely to lose control of your sobriety. Creating a secure financial status is vital to the growth and development of yourself and your sobriety.
Initially, addressing your financial hardships can be nerve-racking, to say the least. Having to relive the financial mistakes of your past is not something that people often look forward to doing. However, this is a critical process in your recovery. Securing your financial status gives you the ability to better guarantee your life-long sobriety and personal growth. However, this does not mean you have to go through this process alone. At Renaissance Ranch, we are here to assist you through this process and offer you opportunities to grow financially. The staff at our facility are here to help advise, teach and support you through this strenuous time. We can also help find potential employment opportunities for those having a difficult time finding work. Regardless of the type of help, you may need to achieve financial stability, we are here to give you the tools you need to learn and develop these new habits. Reach out to us today to learn more at (801) 308-8898.