Substance Drug Abuse

If you've been battling a drug or alcohol addiction you most likely spent a lot of time in denial. You thought you could control it that you could stop using or drinking at any time. You denied to both yourself as well as others that it was a problem despite the mounting evidence. You rationalized that everybody needs a crutch now and then and you're no different even though your crutch has completely overtaken your life. You made excuse after excuse for your addiction and minimized just how often and how much you were actually using.

Most of all you ignored or greatly minimized just how much your addiction was costing you. In fact admitting the true cost of your addiction may have be the hardest step of all. And the most painful.

In terms of cost an addiction to drugs or alcohol doesn't just impact you financially although it may have wiped you out financially. But money is only one part of the picture. No an addiction often takes severe toll on every aspect of your life including: job or career relationships and family time and energy finances physical health and emotional health.

• Job or career Careers are destroyed and jobs are lost every day due to someone's addiction. Physicians who have become addicted to prescription drugs alcohol or even street drugs such as cocaine have lost their license and their careers. High-powered CEOs who used to cope with the pressure and stress all the way to minimum wage fast-food workers have ended up unemployed due their battle with alcohol or drugs. Often long before the job is lost work performance has been deteriorating.

While some are merely suspended and ordered to get treatment others are fired and the door closed swiftly closed behind them. For those whose jobs involve or impact the safety of others such as truck drivers firefighters and law enforcement an addiction can have deadly consequences if they continue working and never get help.

• Relationships and family It is very difficult living with an addict. Marriages are seriously affected by an addiction. Trust can be shattered and conflict can be severe as addicts often lie manipulate and make endless excuses all of which take a serious toll on those closest to them. If a job is lost and finances are wiped out as well children and spouses are seriously impacted. Divorce is not uncommon.

• Time and energy When a substance is controlling your life you will spend an incredible amount of time and energy to get that next fix or that next drink. Time is also lost when you are passed out blacked out high or intoxicated precious time which you can never get back. This can significantly impact your relationships your finances and your job.

• Finances Your finances are almost always severely impacted when you have an addiction. Regardless of your substance of choice continuously satisfying your cravings and need for the substance can wrack up a high bill. It is very common for addicts to have significant credit card debt. Also many relationships are destroyed if you end up borrowing or even worse stealing money from your loved ones.

• Health Late nights drinking hangovers poor sleep liver damage abscesses infections rotting teeth and even deaththe list of potential health issues which result from long term addiction is very long and some are extremely serious. Poor health also impacts work performance relationships and finances.

• Emotional health It is impossible to have an addiction without it impacting your emotional health in some way or another. The shame which inevitably accompanies addiction can be extremely painful. Sadly many addicts use to numb the shame they feel as a result of their addiction it becomes a vicious circle. Low self-esteem and tremendous feelings of guilt also may accompany your addiction. Like each other area your emotional health affects your work your relationships and your physical health as well.

If you are struggling with an addiction the ultimate question is just how much do you have to lose before you decide enough is enough Do you need to hit rock bottom or are you willing to admit that the cost has already gotten far too high and it needs to stop These questions are not meant to be condescending rather they are meant to spur you to finally get some help.

Your life is the most precious thing you have and you deserve to be free from your addiction in order to live it fully. You've already paid a very high price. While it may seem hopeless or the damage cost may seem too great it is never too late to reach out and get help for your addiction. There are people who care and who want to help you if you let them. Take that first step and contact a treatment center today.