Heroin: I need information

[ConcernedSister]

My little sister just found out today that her husband is back on heroin.

They have been together for about 4 years and she knew about his past addiction that landed him in jail for several years. He got clean while in jail and stayed clean while on parole. I don't know how long he was clean for, but I know it was years. They got married and had a child (now 3-1/2). He started his own contracting business but that failed and money got tight. My sister started dancing in addition to her daytime job to support the family. He started popping pills which apparently led him back to his drug of choice.

She has since quit dancing because that is NOT what she wants her son to remember her as. They are behind on bills and on the verge of losing their apartment. She just found out that she is pregnant about 2 weeks ago. They don't have medical insurance.

The info I need:
How would his using effect the unborn baby?

Does anyone know of any free or low cost rehab services in the Philly area?

If he checks into rehab without insurance would they be able to get him on medical assistance?

Thank you in advance for any information provided.

Concerned Sister

[icandoitin08]

My little sister just found out today that her husband is back on heroin.

They have been together for about 4 years and she knew about his past addiction that landed him in jail for several years. He got clean while in jail and stayed clean while on parole. I don't know how long he was clean for, but I know it was years. They got married and had a child (now 3-1/2). He started his own contracting business but that failed and money got tight. My sister started dancing in addition to her daytime job to support the family. He started popping pills which apparently led him back to his drug of choice.

She has since quit dancing because that is NOT what she wants her son to remember her as. They are behind on bills and on the verge of losing their apartment. She just found out that she is pregnant about 2 weeks ago. They don't have medical insurance.

The info I need:
How would his using effect the unborn baby?

Does anyone know of any free or low cost rehab services in the Philly area?

If he checks into rehab without insurance would they be able to get him on medical assistance?

Thank you in advance for any information provided.

Concerned Sister

Sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. I would check into your local salvation army. I used a program with them once, about a year ago. It was 3.00 per day. They do a 5 day detox. After detox I had the choice to stay for 30 days at 3.00 per day. I would also check into county programs. My cousins husband just went through a county program and he does not have insurance. Good luck, I hope this helps.

[rainbowdemon]

The Salvation Army also has Adult Rehabilitation Centers. These are a 5 month residential program. There's one in just about every city in the country. They're free!! And very good!! Much nicer places than you'd think too.


http://www.bakersfield.org/salarmy/

[learning_to_be_free]

My little sister just found out today that her husband is back on heroin.

They have been together for about 4 years and she knew about his past addiction that landed him in jail for several years. He got clean while in jail and stayed clean while on parole. I don't know how long he was clean for, but I know it was years. They got married and had a child (now 3-1/2). He started his own contracting business but that failed and money got tight. My sister started dancing in addition to her daytime job to support the family. He started popping pills which apparently led him back to his drug of choice.

She has since quit dancing because that is NOT what she wants her son to remember her as. They are behind on bills and on the verge of losing their apartment. She just found out that she is pregnant about 2 weeks ago. They don't have medical insurance.

The info I need:
How would his using effect the unborn baby?

Does anyone know of any free or low cost rehab services in the Philly area?

If he checks into rehab without insurance would they be able to get him on medical assistance?

Thank you in advance for any information provided.

Concerned Sister

do you have 211 in your state if you dont know dial it it is a referral help line for all kinds or problems. you can ask them about detoxes & recovery, help getting the bills in order, and what to do about getting health ins for at least your sister

[ConcernedSister]

Well, we called around today and all we got was to wait until tomorrow (Monday) so that the funding and referral office is open. Many of the places we called today told us the same thing... "Take him to the emergency room" blah blah blah. Well she DID take him to the local hospital that has a crisis center and she took him to the ER and you know what? They are home tonight. They did nothing for him. They turned him away and told them the same thing everyone else told us today. "Wait until tomorrow when the funding and referral office is open. Well WTF? And they wonder WHY people don't go for treatment? The system makes it almost impossible to get help!

I'm sorry, I'm just disgusted. *sigh*

[Katwantshelp]

Amen on the disgust. That is exactly what happened to me 2 weeks ago when I felt I was in crisis because my pills ran out. I called some sub abuse dr's office just to be told they can't get you in for 2 weeks. Well wait, I am having this crisis now. In 2 weeks I'm not sure how I will be. Anyhow, I ended up getting some pills until I go to the appt in 2 more days. I am really looking forward to gettimg this over with. Best of luck to you, just realize sometimes people who are crying out for help aren't able to get it when really needed. Be strong and "plan" when you're going to get the help. It is not fair.

Kat

[ConcernedSister]

Well, she called around this morning to the places that she was told to call. Well they told her that the next available appointment was tomorrow unless they wanted to sit in the office ALL day and wait for a POSSIBLE opening. She called me up crying and I felt so helpless. She didn't understand why she couldn't get him help...

Well, she finally received a phone call and it was the call she was waiting for. HELP! Finally!

She dropped him off this afternoon. He will be there for at least 5 days while detoxing and we don't know what from there. It's going to cost them $25/day which is a far cry less than what he was spending getting his fix.

Thank everyone for your support and information offered. I will keep you updated.

To those trying to get clean, good luck!!! The system works against you, but don't give up!

[icandoitin08]

Well, she called around this morning to the places that she was told to call. Well they told her that the next available appointment was tomorrow unless they wanted to sit in the office ALL day and wait for a POSSIBLE opening. She called me up crying and I felt so helpless. She didn't understand why she couldn't get him help...

Well, she finally received a phone call and it was the call she was waiting for. HELP! Finally!

She dropped him off this afternoon. He will be there for at least 5 days while detoxing and we don't know what from there. It's going to cost them $25/day which is a far cry less than what he was spending getting his fix.

Thank everyone for your support and information offered. I will keep you updated.

To those trying to get clean, good luck!!! The system works against you, but don't give up!

Please keep us posted on how he is doing.

[icandoitin08]

Well, she called around this morning to the places that she was told to call. Well they told her that the next available appointment was tomorrow unless they wanted to sit in the office ALL day and wait for a POSSIBLE opening. She called me up crying and I felt so helpless. She didn't understand why she couldn't get him help...

Well, she finally received a phone call and it was the call she was waiting for. HELP! Finally!

She dropped him off this afternoon. He will be there for at least 5 days while detoxing and we don't know what from there. It's going to cost them $25/day which is a far cry less than what he was spending getting his fix.

Thank everyone for your support and information offered. I will keep you updated.

To those trying to get clean, good luck!!! The system works against you, but don't give up!

Problem with the system is that there are so many people abusing drugs and not enough room to put them. It is sad but it is true.