#036: $hootin' the Financial $hit: The Cost of Addiction

Do you struggle with an addiction?

Most of the time when we think about addiction, we think of addictions to hard drugs. But there are many "drugs" with addictive properties that are also legal. 

For example:

Alcohol – for example, wine, beer or liquorAmphetamine or similarly acting sympathomimetics – for example, speed or crystal methBenzodiazepines – for example, Xanax, Valium or KlonopinCaffeine – for example, coffee, tea or sports drinksCannabis – for example, marijuana, grass or hashInhalants – for example, poppers or aerosolsNicotine – for example, cigarettes, cigars or nicotine patchesOpioids – for example, heroin, morphine or painkillersSedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics – for example, sleeping pills or downers

But addiction can also be a behavior. The most common behavioral addictions include:

Computer — for example, internet, video games, social networking sites, cybersex or online gamblingEating — for example, overeating, bingeing or purgingExercise — for example, weight loss or sportsGambling — for example, VLTs, casinos or slot machinesGaming — for example, computer gamesSex — for example, porn, cybersex or multiple partnersShopping — for example, spending or stealingWork — for example, overwork, money or power

Most addictions have a serious impact on finances. In fact, financial problems are even cited as a possible symptom of addiction for substance dependence and compulsive gambling in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) used to diagnose mental health problems. 

So how do we manage our money when we're recovering from an addiction or helping someone else?

Support the show