Why is Rehab so Expensive? I Want Help but Can't Afford it. Is There any Hope?

by Halie
(Texas)

I've had an addiction to the painkiller vicodin for over 5 years now. I'm only 27 and I'm 5'2" and 100lbs with a 20 pill a day habit. My liver is slowly deteriorating and I have no health insurance.

I cannot work and have a little bit of money ... able to support my addiction ... But not $3000 a day for a rehab program. Here in Texas there are no free or low cost programs. You would think that with all the taxes paid and all the government programs for the under-privileged that there would be some sort of financial aid or low cost rehabilitation for drug addicts.

I feel like because of the ridiculous cost of help I'll never be able to recover from my addiction and end up dead before I'm 30. I want help but don't know where to turn. I have tried so many times to quit on my own ... Tapering... Cold turkey...

But the withdrawals are so bad that I end up in the ER everytime and the doctor says that in order for me to take a drug like suboxone I have to go without pills for more than 24 hours or it will have a reverse effect and induce withdrawals rather than prevent it and for me that's not doable.

I haven't been over 12 hours without pills in 2 years. I have an appointment with a drug therapist next week and I'm hoping she can help but I'm not getting my hopes up. Any suggestions?

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Answer

Hi Halie

There is always hope, so whatever you do never stop believing that you'll find a way if you're determined to end the cycle of your addiction. Seeing that drug therapist is an excellent place to start and I'm sure he/she will be able to offer some useful suggestions.

Then, Treatment USA have a number you can call (888) 842-3167 - and they will try and help you find a suitable drug rehab program taking into account the fact that you don't have insurance and very little money. Phone them, explain your situation and see what they can come up with.

SAMHSA - (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration by the US Department of Health and Services) - also have a Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator website which you can use, specifying various criteria like whether you've got insurance and ability to pay etc. Check it out here.

A good friend of this website, Greg A, who also lives in Texas recommends Valley Hope, and says they'll consider people that can't afford much if they can accommodate them and areprovided sufficient motivation. So something also worth doing is contacting as many treatment centers/rehabs as you can, explain your position, and ask if they don't sponsor one or two places for people in your position who really can't afford treatment.

Keep knocking and sooner or later a door will open for you. So there are a few different suggestions to help you get started. Keep believing and you'll find something. Never give up and never lose hope. You can get through this.

Getting yourself to a local NA meeting could also be a huge help because someone there will I'm sure be able to recommend a treatment program that will suit your circumstances. Remember where there's a will, there's always a way. If you keep at it I have no doubt you'll find something.

Good Luck and God Bless.

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