Question: My 24 yr old son is a drug addict as is his live-in girlfriend of 7 yrs. Both are ready to detox and enter a rehab program. The difficulty is finding an affordable Christian rehab that doesn't require a commitment of 12+ months and a structered sober living environment for the two of them together after rehab. They are only willing at this time to commit to 4...possibly 6...month rehab program and realize they will not be together. My son also has a dual diagnosis that requires psychiatric medication and the only shorter term low cost Christian rehab that I have found...U Turn for Christ...will not allow psychiatric medications. And, I have yet to find ANY low cost program that will address both of them together. My son has insurance through the state of AZ, but his girlfriend has none. We are able to pay for a low cost, under $1000 per month, rehab and are willing to send him out of state. Thank you for any help you can offer as I have been searching for a few weeks.

Arlinda Lindsay Says...:

Hello Desertshell,

I know you are concerned about your son and his girlfriend.  It is difficult finding affordable care.  If you haven't already done so, check the Rehab Programs section of the Choose Help website.  Also, ask your son to call his insurance and ask them for a list of agencies in the area the the insurance cover.  Check to see if The Salvation Army have a recovery program in the area.

If there are not any affordable inpatient programs in the area, I would suggest finding an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).  IOPs usually meet for 3 hours for 3 days a week. Attending a 12 step meeting and obtaining a sponsor could help in the meantime.  I hope this helps.

Question: Hi this is my story. I was a dealer with my own soldiers cranking thousands of dollars of product a day but I had an eye opening life altering experience when I got shot and robbed and almost died in the ER with blood pressure crashed out to practically zero… I got straight in the hospital and I moved back home with my mom to get away because I know if I was back on the streets there for even one day I’d be high by night time… I am serious about changing my life but my mom still treat me like I am a 16 year old child and she extends me zero trust that you should just normally give an adult man…as a case in point I have to be home by 9 at night… I an greatful to her for taking me in and being here for me but I cant stand the way she treats me…. If I stay I am going to explode and get high but I don’t have any where to go except back where I came from where I will also get high…. I have a high school diploma and that is all!!!... I used to drop $500 at the stripclub and not even care…. I am 28 now and I have an 8 year hole on my resume and what kind of job am I going to get?... I feel like this mountain I gotta climb is just too high and I cannot do it.….It has been 72 days since the day I almost died. I feel like there is no way back from the bad choices I made 10 years ago.

Arlinda Lindsay Says...:

Hi Anonymous,

It's never too late to turn your life around.  Do not allow the past to define who you are.   What is impossible with men is possible with God.  I suggest you find a NA meeting or some other support group as well as getting a sponsor for additional support, encouragement, and accountability. A sponsor should be same sex, at least one year of clean time, and worked the 12 steps. You can find a sponsor at NA meetings.  It sounds like you need to build your support network.  In regards to your mother, it may take time for her to totally trust you. But, I'm confident it will happen.  Just stay focused and stay away from people, places, and things that may cause triggers.  Have you thought about a recovery home?  Don't give up on finding a job.  Until you find a job volunteer somewhere to add more structure in your life. You will need to adjust to a different lifestyle. You can and will turn your life around.  You can do it! Don't lose hope. You have a purpose in this world.