Originally published in Health Connection, Summer 2009
Let’s face it, addiction is a tough and costly habit to break. Whether it’s smoking, drinking, drug use, overeating, shopping, or gambling, these self-destructive coping strategies come with a hefty price tag. Not only do they take a toll on your health, but they also impact your finances and relationships.
Sure, the cost of a pack of cigarettes may seem like a small price to pay, but the real cost of addiction goes far beyond that. Let’s take a closer look at some of the hidden costs of smoking:
- Did you know that smokers pay hundreds more per year for health insurance premiums?
- Or that the resale of a smoker’s car will usually be at least $1,000 less than a non-smoker’s car?
- And when it comes time to sell a house, smokers may have to settle for less money than non-smokers.
- A smoker’s life insurance premium may also cost twice as much as a non-smoker’s.
- Homeowner’s insurance for a smoker can be up to 10 percent more expensive.
- Even the cost of mints and dry cleaning can add up to a few hundred dollars to a smoker’s budget.
- And there are potentially devastating health consequences.
On top of all that, studies have shown that smokers earn up to 11 percent less than non-smokers on average. And if you’re a smoker looking for a job, some companies may choose not to hire you.
There is hope.
But don’t worry, if you’re looking to kick your addiction, there is hope. Ministry Behavioral Health can help you stop addiction, whether it’s to tobacco, alcohol, another substance, or destructive behavior.
According to Mike Slavin, an AODA counselor at Ministry Behavioral Health in Stevens Point, addiction can be classified into two main types: physical addiction, which is the body’s physical dependence on a substance to function, and psychological addiction, which is a strong psychological and emotional craving for the substance or behavior.
Addiction occurs when a person feels compelled to take the drug or participate in destructive behavior and feels like they no longer have a choice. But with the right support and treatment, you can break free from addiction and reclaim your life.
You do have a choice. Call today.