Greetings!
We have a new look (both our book website and our newsletter). Hope you like it! We've been working with some of you to find affordable solutions for treatment--and just coping in general. This issue presents several good options. You may be surprised to find out that during these tough times, there are actually more affordable opportunities than ever before. Also please stop by our (fairly) new BLOG and leave a comment/make a friend.We've also slashed our pricing on the "Why Don't They JUST QUIT?" book and DVD by 25% (scroll to bottom).
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Insider Tips on Addiction Recovery
During A Recession
By Joe Herzanek
What can a person do to help a loved one who really needs to be in
recovery? Can you afford to pay for an inpatient program? What are the
options during these stressful times?
Treatment providers across
the country are feeling the effects of our weakened and unstable
economy as well. We asked our good friend and treatment professional
from Valley Hope, Donna Schwartz, for some perspective on this
situation.
"What does a person do when they find
themselves in an economy that is the worst in decades; where life
struggles, job stress, unemployment and money problems are common words
used in most conversations? Add on top of that having a substance
abuse problem--you yourself or someone you know and love. Growing
numbers of individuals are seeking relief through the bottle; of pills,
alcohol or other drugs available in the midst of the pressure related
to our times. Lets add more stressors to this equation: treatment
centers are struggling financially; people don't have the money to pay
cash for treatment needed . . . where are solutions to these real concerns?
There
are 12 Step Meetings offered all over the country that help substance
abusers; they are free of charge and a wonderful support system. For
many, this is an answer. For many others, this is not enough structure
or support in finding recovery. Treatment facilities are faced with
the dilemma of desiring to help the substance abuser and at the same
time, staying in business in attempts at doing this.
In Colorado, there are three treatment facilities that offer 12 Step Based, 28-30 day residential treatment for people in need of this; Parker Valley Hope, Cedar and Harmony Foundation. There are also out patient services all over Denver Metro and at various locations in Colorado who may be able to work with someone in need of treatment and with financial concerns.
If you have questions about options for care during these stressful times, call each facility and ask them how they may be able to help you with your substance abuse concerns within your financial constraints. The goal is to help and to stay in business; hopefully there is a way to do both to help you! Valley Hope does work with most major medical insurance carriers for treatment. There is hope. . . fear, using substances or avoiding help is not the path to hope! I encourage you to reach out and see what happens."
As Donna points out, the first option (regularly attending 12 Step groups) is no secret. There are, and always will be, 12 Step groups all across the country that are free; as well as AA and NA for the dependent person and Al-Anon and Alateen for family members and friends. To be completely honest, these 12 Step groups are a wonderful support system and could be at the top of the list. They are free, they are everywhere and they are "all the time."
Starting the journey of recovery at an inpatient facility is the best way to begin if you can. Donna has noted some resources for the Colorado region and there are similar resources in your area. We have listed a few links below to get you started in your search. Get on the phone and start calling treatment providers. You just may find out that it's never been easier to get help. Pick up the phone!
Lastly, do not overlook what you can do on your own. Educate yourself by reading all you can on the topic. Buying few books and/or videos is a small investment, relatively speaking.
It has been said "nothing changes if nothing changes." Help and resources are out there and providers have never been more willing to work with you to find solutions. Please reach out to them- seek wise counsel.
Never forget that people can and do change all the time. The "want to" will come, and when it does, good things can happen. In the meantime there are ways for you to stop the insanity. Life doesn't have to be an out of control roller coaster.
Special thanks to:
Donna Schwartz, M.A., MFT, CAC III
Community Relations in Colorado
Valley Hope Alcohol and Drug Treatment
(303) 851-0762
donnas@valleyhope.com
www.valleyhope.org
To find out how to save as much as 50% on treatment,
read Chapter 15 of "Why Don't They JUST QUIT"
(Does Treatment Have To Cost A Lot?).
Other helpful resources:
Recovery Connection: Drug Addiction Treatment Centers
Treatment Centers Online Directory and Resource -provides information, resources and comprehensive listings
of over 8,000 drug treatment centers, drug rehabs, alcohol rehab
programs, dual-diagnosis treatment centers, help for eating disorders
and co-occurring disorders, and drug rehabilitation programs.
Addiction Intervention Resources (AIR) -is a national organization of
professional intervention specialists, counselors and consultants that
provide fast and effective crisis management services through a proven
protocol of education, action and healing. AIR addiction consultants
can be reached at any time.
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Hope is the Place to Be
By Ned Wicker
We all want to have hope. Hope gets us up in the
morning and drives us to achieve what we otherwise would just dream about. Hope allows us to keep going when circumstances are dire and
there does not appear to be any opportunity of turning the tide. Hope
is the expectation of something in the absence of empirical data. Hope
is everything to the recovering addict.
The second step in the 12 Step process states, "We came to believe
that a "power greater than ourselves" could restore us to sanity. That
is an example of hope. When a person goes to a treatment facility,
having come to a point in his/her life that requires a change in
direction, it is out of hope that they submit to the program.
Hope is a key ingredient in motivating a person to move forward in recovery,
knowing that there will be good days and bad, knowing that recovery is
a process and not an instantaneous event, and knowing that with
perseverance, a good outcome is achievable.
Read More
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Announcing E-NewsHelp! If you have enjoyed reading our newsletters over the past year or so, we would like to to offer our readers a special discounted price on the creation of your own custom E-Newsletter. A fun and affordable way to promote your small business. Read More |
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Did You Miss an Issue?
In it you will find:
PAIN MEDS CAUSE MORE PAIN
DOES TREATMENT HAVE TO COST A LOT?
RELAPSE. IT HAPPENS.
METH:
"THE DEVIL'S DRUG"
(do Meth addicts really recover?)
THE ACCIDENTAL ADDICT
"MEANEST MOM"
INTERVENTIONS
(Believe it or not, you do them all the time!)
WHAT SHOULD WE DO WITH STRESS?
HOLIDAY PROBLEMS?
- Q&A "ASK JOE" - |
Ask Joe
Q Dear Joe,
Your book "Why Don't They JUST QUIT?" was very helpful.
My son, (16) was in serious danger with drinking and drugs. He was not doing well in school, criminal behavior, withdrawn from the family, and very angry with me.
The final straw was when he got arrested for possession of pot and continued to use, fight and be angry with me. Joe, I sent him to a residential treatment center. He's done amazingly well there and have gone to visit him several times.
He will be returning home this Thursday-coming home to the same friends & environment. Any advice? I know he still holds a lot of past anger with me.
Traci (San Antonio, TX)
A Dear Traci,
You have done the right
thing by getting him into rehab. Just the same it will be very difficult for him to transition back to school life and other teens. Alcohol and substances (smoking pot) are very common for that age group. I'm sure this is not new information.
Don't be shocked if he decides to 'test the water again' so to speak. If so, just encourage him to get back to using the skills he's learned while in treatment and keep trying. You have caught this very early.
A temporary relocation could help if that is a possibility. Keeping him very busy will be a good idea as well. Strongly encourage and support any positive things he may be interested in.
Another option would be to find a mentor for him--someone a little older (20ish) that will come alongside and encourage him. The right person could make all the difference in the world. He is not likely to be open and honest talking about the challenges he has with 'mom or dad.'
I don't know if you are connected with a church at all but some of the larger ones have youth group leaders that might be able to help find a mentor. There are other organizations as well that can be of assistance.
Lastly, keep in mind his age. This is a tough time for many kids under the best of circumstances. DON'T expect anything close to perfection. This is the beginning of a long journey. Some things just take time. Seek wise counsel for yourself during this process. Let me know how it goes from time to time.
Best regards, Joe
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