Prepaid Card Designed to Help Those in Recovery From Addiction Manage Money
Three men who met while in recovery have developed a
prepaid card designed to help others who are recovering from addiction
manage their money, the New York Daily News reports.
They have launched the Next Step
Prepaid MasterCard, a reloadable card designed for people in recovery,
and for those who are financially supporting them. The card gives family
members and guardians control over funds, while teaching people in
recovery how to manage their money, the article notes.
“When I left treatment, I spent hundreds of dollars on stupid things
like Starbucks, just to fill a void,” said company co-founder Eric
Dresdale, who started drinking in high school.
The primary account holder of the Next Step card is the parent or
caregiver. The person in recovery receives a companion card, which can
be used to make purchases. The card cannot be used at an ATM machine, or
to get cash back at a store. It is not accepted at bars, casinos or
liquor stores. “The truth is, if someone wants to buy drugs they will
find a way,” Dresdale told the newspaper. “But we act as a hurdle from
achieving that goal.”
Addiction specialist Dr. Paul Hokemeyer thinks the card can be a
useful tool in recovery. “I think it’s a great tool to teach patients
boundaries and limits,” he said.
The card’s activation fee is $9.95, and has a monthly maintenance fee
of $14.95, compared with $3 to $5 for many other prepaid cards.
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