Those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol often require more than just willpower to succeed at recovery. Despite their general desire to get well or to stop abusing substances, physical dependence paired with psychological aspects of addiction make it difficult for the addict to stop using. Helping an addict into treatment yields a much greater return than simply showing them the ropes to get help – a recovering addict who finds treatment that works can enjoy improved quality of life, reduced economic impact of addiction, and overall family recovery.
Improving Quality of Life with Addiction Treatment
The addict isn’t the only one who suffers when addiction is a problem. Addiction has been considered a family disease and it surely does affect everyone involved. Traumatic events, life-altering situations and downright disaster can occur when a loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol. The home becomes a battleground where fights break out over drugs or alcohol, the substance abuse, the way that the addict acts and other matters. Children and loved ones build resentment and live in a life of tatters, always walking on egg shells in hopes of not setting the addict off.
Treatment improves the quality of life for both the addict and for the family members who are directly involved with the addict. In fact, a recent study by the National Institute of Mental Health found that the family members of an addict who completes inpatient or outpatient treatment reported a 60% or more increase in quality of life following their loved one’s treatment.
Financial Distress is Reduced Greatly with Treatment
Addiction results in job loss, a reduction in earning power due to an inability to be reliable, loss of homes and loss of personal possessions. All of this causes a huge economic burden on the addict and often on those who care about the addict as well. Treatment for addiction will require a financial investment (much of which can often be covered by insurance) and it will require an investment of time but the end result can be a significant improvement in economic status for the addict.
A recovered addict has a greater chance of getting a good job, improving their earning power and most importantly, meeting financial goals without spending money on drugs or alcohol. It is estimated that those who complete treatment can reduce their spending by as much as 15% or more when they are no longer purchasing drugs or alcohol. In fact, the average family who stops spending on alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and other expenses that are directly related to substance abuse typically saves about $700 per month.
Treatment is a Winning Situation for All
Helping a loved one who is addicted to drugs to get help is a win-win situation. The addict will benefit from improved quality of life, improved economic status and improved relationships. Studies show that families who are living with an addict spend much of their time protecting them, covering their expenses, taking care of them and otherwise worrying about their whereabouts, status or general health. Treatment can take this routine of having to care for an addict out of your life allowing you to heal too.
For the family members and loved ones of those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol, treatment can lead to their own improved quality of life too. There are many benefits that come from helping an addict to get treatment, especially when addiction has taken over in the household.