Develop a Budget
When making the decision to enter recovery, finances can be a big worry. For some, your recovery budget might look very different from your previous financial situation. Recent research has shown that money management can promote substance use recovery by increasing mindfulness around financial planning, and helping to plan for unexpected financial situations. Some people find that money can be a trigger for drug use. A recovery budget can serve as a visual that helps keep you on track.
Many addiction specialists recommend starting small. Begin by making a list of all debts, assets, and monthly bills. Next, open a bank account. With the key information in front of you, you’re on the right path to making financial decisions that promote recovery.
Want to learn more? Check out these resources:
Explore: Read this article to learn more about how money management can be an important tool to promote substance use recovery.
Watch: Tom Jacobs from the Vitanova Foundation has several short videos in this playlist that help to introduce concepts like financial literacy, budgeting, and other financial steps that can help people in recovery.
Practice: Ready to develop your recovery budget? Check out this Guide to Personal Finance in Recovery, and try out one of their first steps. Additionally, check out some journaling prompts to help you reflect.
Prompts to help you understand how money affects you emotionally:
- I feel the richest in my life when…
- When I think about money I feel…
Prompts to help you take one small step in a different direction with your finances:
- In 10 years time I want to be able to afford…
- I will calculate how much money I make per day and decide a reasonable amount I can save from that total
- Prompts for the person who is learning what they value:
- Of all of my belongings, I take most care of…
- If money did not exist, I would spend my days…
Prompts for the person who hopes to renew their relationship with money:
- I would like to feel _________ about money
- The dominant emotions that come to the surface when I think about money are…
Get Active
Care for your body to stay healthy now! Try these easy tips to incorporate physical activity in your daily routine, and promote your path to recovery.
Connect with Your Community
No one is on the path to recovery alone. Consider joining a group of like-minded individuals for social connection and recovery support.
Develop a Budget
Many people find that their personal finances look different in recovery. Try developing a budget to help your financial wellbeing.
Promote Self-Learning
When you start on your recovery journey, it can feel like there’s so much to learn. Try some of the self-guided learning tips to learn how substance use affects your body and brain.
Take Time for Mindfulness
In today’s world, it can be hard to take a moment to yourself. Mindfulness and meditation can help you develop a reflective mindset, and promote recovery.
Connect with Nature
Spending time in nature can help you feel relaxed and clear your mind. Take a moment to connect with the natural world around you.
Think of how you feel when you interact with nature.
Practice Gratitude
Take time each day to reflect through a gratitude mindset. Do this for just a few minutes each day, and, over time, you'll feel calmer, and more connected to the things that matter most.
Spend Time
Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to make social connections and learn new skills, all while promoting your path to sustained recovery.
Strive for Good Sleep
Without sleep, we cannot make effective decisions about our lives and the world around us. To promote your recovery mindset, aim for seven to eight hours of sleep per night.