where to find free drug rehab?

[gmoney]

Have a friend/acquaintance who's having problems with painkiller addiction (Vicodin, I think). She's dirt poor, but can't find any rehab she can afford. Until she gets off the pills, I doubt she'll be able to keep a job, and she's currently in danger of becoming homeless.

Seems to me there should be SOME resource for either charitable rehab or government sponsored rehab for someone who genuinely wants to get off them. She'd even be willing to put up with religious preaching for a church sponsored program, but says that whenever she calls, all she gets is referrals to places that require insurance or payment.

Where can I tell her to start looking? She's in Northern Kentucky, so not the most affluent area...

[KitchenWitch]

1. If she is serious about kicking - she can start by going to either

AA or NA meetings. Those are free, and will get her started on building a support system once she is out of rehab.

I am not sure of what programs are available in Northern Kentucky, but a good source for information is the Hazelden Foundation.

http://www.hazelden.org

Another resource may be H.E.A.R.T. (Help Enable Alcoholics to Receive Treatment). Their web address is http://www.heartinc.org/site/heart/

Best wishes to you and your friend. May she find recovery.

[Morgana LaFey]

2. Have you checked with County Public Health

for ideas or referrals, assuming you have such in your area?

Good luck!

[SPKrazy]

3. Okay, This Will Sound Smart Assed As Hell

but I don't mean it that way.

First 12 step meetings are free and they can certainly get help there.

But why do people think that treatment should be free? Were drugs free? Hell I always found ways to get money for dope.

Enough of my rant. I don't mean to sound hardassed about it. I hope your friend can find help and get sober.

[dsc]

4. because all medical care should be free

It is insane that we make ill people go into hock to get well.

[SPKrazy]

5. Well I Won't Argue With You That It Should Be Accessible

It's going to cost someone and a taxpayer funded health care system makes more sense than what we've got

I'm just saying that I've heard people who spent thousands on dope, say they can't afford treatment and don't go get it, but then turn around and do thousands more on dope and die.

[dsc]

6. admittedly people use it as an excuse

but I still think it should be free. I was fortunate to be insured when I went in but had to quit in the middle of my outpatient therapy due to insurance issues. I did get a good start.

[SPKrazy]

7. Insurance Is A Racket

I've worked as a CD counselor many years ago when insurance and mangled care basically tore up the treatment industry.

Insurance is a racket. It's good to have, but there's no guarantee it will pay, and to put a third party into a therapeutic situation is absurd.

JMOpinion

[dsc]

8. I know insurance is a huge racket.