I just had a conversation with a friend who is in some legal trouble. They have an addiction problem with pain killers and that has caused some legal problems because they work in the medical industry.

Well, used to work.

Unfortunately, unable to work in this industry any longer, they will now have to find other employment in order to deal with their legal struggles. And all things lumped together means that there are also financial struggles to deal with as well.

I want to address the combination of these things, and this may look unlike anything that you are dealing with, but my guess is that there are more people out there struggling with crap in their lives, whether financial, legal, depression, substance abuse, or other forms of addiction (for example, pornography?) than any of us would like to imagine.

We want to think that a "godless world" is a perfect world--one with no bankruptcy, no divorce, no substance abuse, no infidelity, no unemployment--basically a perfect world. But this is just not the case.

Now, I would make the case that the problem is that we want to believe that "we" are in control, where we need to admit that there is a higher authority in this world, though not of this world, and we answer to Him. I call this being God, and he has a plan for our lives, and it does not involve substances that numb us to reality in order to better deal with it, nor does it involve living outside our means in order to look like "more" than we actually "are," nor does it involve us living in a constant fear of earthly authority in the form of the legal system.

I don't intend on preaching here, as that is not the purpose of my blog. However, I wanted to state my belief in that area so as to be clear as to where I am coming from. I believe that individuals are responsible for their own actions, thus they should make decisions (aka, choices) taking that end into account.

I also don't intend on judging anybody whose situation in life, past, present, or future, resembles what I am discussing herein. I've been low, I've been sued, I've had an arrest warrant outstanding, and I've suffered from depression, so believe me when I say, I might not be able to relate to your situation, but I can certainly understand it.

Let us begin with substance abuse since that is what caused my friend's current situation to go south.

Foreign substances are bad for the human body. We know this because they introduce toxins to our system that impair our systems from operating as they are intended. Whether that substance is alcohol, cocaine, or vicadin, we are not supposed to ingest these substances in a way that impairs normal activity.

One drink isn't that big of a deal, unless you are an alcoholic, in which case, one drink is all it takes to slide down a really bad slope really fast.

One drag isn't that big of a deal, except that it is illegal, which can lead directly to legal problems, and unless you are a recovering addict, in which case you might slide a bit faster than the next guy who has never used drugs.

And while vicadin is a very useful agent used to numb pain in a variety of ways, in the words of one addict, "It makes me feel like Superman--like I can do anything! It makes me feel more happy and like I can have a better time." Now, if you have a back injury, vicadin might be your friend. If you have an addiction to vicadin, even one dose can cause you to relapse, even after a two-year absence of it in your system.

Financial problems and addiction seem to go hand in hand, largely due to the "paying for the drugs" aspect of addiction. It's not like we need any more help in this area, now is it?

We seem to think that money grows on trees with our big houses, big cars, and big credit limits! Which probably leads directly to many of our marital problems as well.

It is amazing how these things tie in together, isn't it?

Now, with marital problems, just as with financial problems and addiction problems, often legal problems follow closely. No surprise there, huh? Addiction problems lead to jail time. Financial problems lead to Bankruptcy. Marital problems lead to divorce. All legal issues.

There are other tie-in's between these, such as legal problems leading to unemployment leading to further financial problems (repossessions, foreclosures, divorce, etc.).

My point is this: If you are struggling with these issues, or any litany of related or other issues, you need help. Now, that may not sound great right now, especially the idea of sharing information about your situation with a personal, legal, or financial counselor, but you need to break through the prideful attitude and deal with the facts.

1.) You are in trouble of some sort, and it is your responsibility to take the steps to get out of it.

2.) The resources are out there to get your stuff together. You just have to take the steps. If that means selling your house, there is always a buyer. If that means refinancing your house, lenders have programs to work with borrowers. If you need to trade in a leased car you are two payments behind on, there are options (I recommend having someone go to the dealership with you--two heads are better than one!). If that means cutting up all your credit cards and living on a cash-only system like Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover," that's why those systems are in place: People like you need them, and people like Dave are willing to help out!

3.) Get your stuff together so you can take care of you and yours! It's not my responsibility to care for you, nor is it your business to look after me!

4.) Don't be afraid of more education! A bachelors degree in accounting is a marvelous thing, and provides you the opportunity to work in an industry that is respected and well-remunerated!

5.) When you get your stuff in order, be it in 5 months or 5 years, and when you are taking care of your (reduced, hopefully!) obligations, putting some money away, and taking care of your family, don't be afraid to blow a little cash at that point! Key word: Cash!

Things may be tough, and I won't sugar coat it--getting out of trouble may be even tougher! I used to be in terrible debt, have little income, got laid off, and had a long-term relationship end poorly, all within a couple months of each other! It felt bad, I became depressed, and everything looked like it was caving in around me.

But it didn't! I took care of things, went back to school, got a degree in a field that pays great and offers career advancement, and now am doing well. It built character and wisdom that previously I did not have, and today, you all get to listen to me talk on my blog!

Just think, you too could be in this position soon, too!

And feel free to send me an email if you need further advice of a non-professional, uncertified nature about what you need to do to better your situation for yourself and your family.