Financial Capability in Addiction Research and Clinical Practice

Abstract

Background:Substance use disorders (SUDs) impact everything about an individual’s life—health, family, employment, education, housing, transportation, and finances. By the time individuals with SUDs begin treatment—especially in publicly funded programs—most have few financial resources. Many have resorted to property crimes, resulting in fines, fees, and restitution costs that compound their financial difficulties. Reestablishing financial functioning is key to recovering from the consequences of addiction. Yet access to cash may also trigger relapses—especially in early recovery. Objective: This paper reports initial results from studies exploring how clients in treatment for SUDs manage their financial responsibilities, assessing their financial capability both in terms of access to financial services and personal financial literacy. Method: Using data collected between June 2017 and October 2019 from almost 5,000 SUD clients as they entered treatment as well as a financial needs assessment study of 70 clients during treatment, we conducted Chi-square testing and logistic regressions to analyze the relationships between client characteristics and financial capability. Results: Our results indicated that over 50% of individuals in addiction treatment did not have access to accounts at insured financial institutions, and that clients’ ages and education levels were significantly related to their financial capability. We also found that 78% of clients feel that money management skills are important to their recovery. Conclusions: Many SUD clients in recovery have limited financial capability, and they are interested in developing financial skills. Increasing client financial capability may be an underemphasized, yet important part of recovery capital.

Keywords:

• Financial capability
• substance use disorders
• money management
• financial literacy
• addiction services
• addiction
• finances
• addiction treatment

Declaration of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Notes

1 This question was added to the intake questionnaire in May 2019.