Many people are reluctant to admit they have a problem with drugs and alcohol, and that’s understandable.
Addiction is a serious illness that renders the victim powerless over their substance use—something no one ever wants to deal with. But it’s important that you do deal with it, otherwise, addiction can cost you in more ways than you know.
1. Addiction harms your health
It will come as no surprise that addiction harms your health—often in obvious ways, but also in ways that can creep up on you.
Some of the immediate physical effects of addiction can be as common as a hangover. But insidious (and irreversible) forms of harm, such as cirrhosis of the liver, may take years to make themselves known. By then, it is frequently too late.
In the most extreme circumstances, addiction can cost you your life. It can even end the life of someone you care about if you engage in dangerous behaviors while drunk or high, such as getting behind the wheel of a car.
2. Addiction affects your career
Although many substance users may be high-functioning at work, addiction is a chronic, degenerative disease. That means it gets worse over time, so if you haven’t noticed your work quality deteriorating, it very likely will in the future.
Missed days, late appointments, and poor performance can lead to suspensions, terminations, and difficulty finding or maintaining employment.
3. Addiction costs you cash $
Sit down and do the math. Some substance users spend hundreds a day on drugs and alcohol—easily thousands a year. How much are you spending a day or week on drugs?
Addiction not only costs you money, but our society too. According to the National Institue on Drug Abuse, substance abuse costs our nation over $600 billion annually.
4. Addiction interferes with your relationships
Tension, stress, and fights (sometimes physical) can all result from substance abuse—even if only one party is using. Have you ever yelled at someone you care about, hit them, or just let them down while under the influence?
Once you lose someone special to your drinking or drug habit, you may never be able to get them back again.
5. Addiction leaves you with no coping skills
Addiction is partly a maladaptive coping mechanism designed to shield you from unpleasant experiences.
You may not know how to handle negative emotions or situations like frustration, heartache, or even deep grief because your substance abuse is masking them. Unfortunately, these emotions won’t go away just because you avoid dealing with them.
In order to acquire a healthy, robust set of coping skills, you may benefit from therapy or rehab. But you will never know how to deal with even routine pressures of life if you turn to your drug of choice every time they arise.
Don’t let addiction keep costing you
Don’t let addiction cost you more than it already has.
Take the leap and start by getting help today.