If you are in emotional distress or despair call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000 and speak to a counsellor immediately.
For support, advice or information about mental health, call Inspire on 0808 189 0036

Addictions and money issues

Stressors like worrying about money and the future can drive you towards addictive activities

 

Don’t put off getting help if you think you’re living with an addiction.

Addiction and money issues – Stressors like worrying about money or the future can drive you towards addictive activities, including:

  • Increasing alcohol use
  • Use of other substances
  • Gambling
  • Disordered eating
  • Unhealthy relationships

Getting help

You can talk to these organisations about addictive behaviour:

Inspire’s Advocacy for All team can help you find support if you’re living with an addiction.

Take control of your behaviour

Contact the organisations above and find out how you can recover. Set yourself actions, targets and goals to beat your addiction and follow through with these.

Learn to recognise any impulsive or addictive behaviour. Write a list of any bad habits and think about how you can overcome those.

Research as much as you can about the causes, symptoms and treatments for your behaviour. These websites may help:

Talk about your behaviour

Talk to someone about how you are feeling. Your family or friends may already be worried about your behaviour. Their support can make all the difference.

Find a support group that deals with your issue. It can take a while to see the benefits of peer support. Try going to at least six meetings before you decide if it’s right for you.

Our Advocacy for All team can help you find support groups.

Counselling and therapy

Get professional help to recover.

  • Contact Inspire’s addiction service
  • Find a qualified psychotherapist in your area
  • Make an appointment with your doctor and be honest about your issues
  • Check out local addiction centres and advice agencies who may provide support services and group meetings

Relapsing

Restarting addictive behaviours is a setback but it shouldn’t be the end of your recovery.

Setbacks are normal as is the guilt that can come with them. Learn how to deal effectively with a relapse.

  • Talk to someone you trust about what’s happened, whether that’s a family member, your doctor or a counselling service
  • Look for professional treatment to help with your recovery
  • Learn what your triggers are and find ways to avoid or deal positively with these

Take care of yourself

Living with addiction is hard. You may still feel tempted and you may slip back into behaviours you thought you’d stopped.

Practice self-care, compassion and mindfulness. This can help you accept yourself and promote emotional healing.

Find activities that help you to unwind and make you happy and relaxed.

More resources