Most people underestimate how much they spend on their habit. A pack-a-day smoker burns through $3,500/year. A weekend drinker easily spends $5,000+. And that’s before the hidden costs — Ubers, late-night food, missed work, health problems.
This calculator shows you the real number. Pick your substance, enter your usage, and see what recovery is actually worth — in dollars you can spend on something better.
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We take your reported usage (quantity × price per unit) and multiply by the appropriate frequency to get your weekly cost. From there: daily = weekly ÷ 7, monthly = weekly × 4.33, annual = weekly × 52. For cigarettes we calculate packs per day from your daily cigarette count and pack size. For gambling we apply your estimated loss percentage to your weekly betting amount.
Our projection uses the compound interest formula with your annual savings as yearly contributions. The default 7% return matches the historical average of the S&P 500 after inflation. We also apply a 5% annual escalation factor to account for inflation and the tendency for addiction spending to increase over time.
The direct cost of a substance is only part of the picture. Research shows smokers pay an average of $8,500/year in extra healthcare costs. Alcohol-related DUIs cost between $10,000–$25,000 on average. Heavy drinkers and drug users face an estimated $19,000/year earnings gap compared to non-users. Our hidden costs module lets you include your own health and productivity estimates.
Default substance prices are based on national averages from the CDC, NIAAA, SAMHSA, NIH, and the National Council on Problem Gambling. Health milestones are drawn from peer-reviewed research cited by these agencies. All values are user-adjustable.
At the national average of $9.60/pack and 15 cigarettes/day, a typical smoker spends about $2,628/year. A pack-a-day smoker spends $3,504. In expensive states like New York, that climbs above $5,300.
A moderate social drinker (8 drinks/week at $8/drink) spends roughly $3,328/year. Heavy drinkers can spend $9,000–$15,000+ when including bar tabs, rideshares, and late-night food.
The average vaper spends $900–$1,300/year on pods or e-liquid. Heavy vapers using disposables can spend $2,000+.
Yes. Everything runs in your browser. No data is sent to any server, no cookies are set, and no account is needed. We never see your inputs or results.
We use a 7% annual return, which matches the historical average of the S&P 500 after inflation. Actual returns vary. The projection illustrates the opportunity cost of spending on a habit vs. saving.
Beyond the direct substance cost, addiction carries hidden costs including increased healthcare expenses, reduced earning potential, legal fees (DUI, possession charges), relationship costs, and lost productivity. For smoking alone, research estimates $8,500/year in extra medical costs.
Yes. Select "Other" and enter your estimated weekly spending on any behavior — shopping, gaming, social media purchases, or anything else.
Immediately. The money you don't spend today is money saved today. Most people notice the impact within the first month. At 90 days, the cumulative savings become motivating in their own right.
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</iframe>If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7).