A Goodbye Letter to My Drug Addiction

Substance use disorders impact over 21 million Americans each year, but only 10 percent of people get the life-saving treatment they need. One of the major barriers to treatment is stigma. I was so ashamed of my addiction, but I was equally so stuck in denial that it took ten years of failed attempts for me to say goodbye to drug addiction and fully embrace recovery.

Fortunately, at the bitter end of my addiction, I made a smart choice to go to treatment. That decision saved my life. And the guidance and support of addiction recovery professionals is why I remain sober today.

How I Denied My Drug Addiction for Years

For years, I told myself that I had control over my substance use. My typical drug use and denial looked something like this: I’d go out to a bar after work, telling myself I’d only have one drink and then head home. Four hours later, I’d find myself in the bathroom lining up. Recalling the earlier promise, I’d made to myself, I’d say “You’re fine. You can stop whenever you want.” The reality is that I’d end up getting home in the early hours of the morning and calling in sick to work the next day.

This scenario played out for years. Recognizing those failures wasn’t enough though, my denial ran much deeper. I’d tell myself that my stress validated my drug use. I’d also surround myself with people who used more than me, so I could plausibly deny that my addiction wasn’t that bad.

That’s the thing about drug addiction: it’s the one disease that tells us we don’t have it. I truly believed that I couldn’t possibly have a problem like a drug addict. In reality, my internalized stigma about addiction, coupled with my denial, kept me from seeking the help I desperately needed — like so many other Americans.

Fortunately for me, my world crumbled when I lost a close family member. That led to a massive binge where I used more drugs than ever over a week-long period. Needless to say, I felt emotionally and physically destroyed. I couldn’t take any more. I was violently sick, and, in a panic, I searched online to see if I was experiencing some kind of poisoning.  I came across a blog on an addiction website that told me I had to get immediate medical attention. Thank God I called the number on the blog and got help.

Taking the First Steps Toward Rehab

I’ll never forget how I felt walking through the doors of the addiction treatment center. I felt utterly defeated and I hated myself for letting things get so bad. I expected that rehab would be like going to the doctor and that I would be shamed and reprimanded for my addiction. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Every single member of staff, from the moment I arrived at the moment I left, treated me with dignity and respect. I wasn’t treated like a drug addict that had made so many poor decisions. I was treated like a human who had a medical condition. It was how I was treated that led me to think that I should pay attention to what they ask me to do. Thankfully I did, and I believe that’s what made treatment successful and led to long-term recovery.

For me, the most impactful part of treatment was writing a Dear John letter (aka a goodbye letter) to my drug addiction.

What is a Dear John Letter?

A “Dear John” letter is an activity that’s commonly used during rehab. It is an expressive medium to communicate your thoughts and feelings related to your former drug or alcohol use. There is no right or wrong way to write a Dear John letter; it’s simply a therapeutic way to express your feelings without having to talk.

Therapists say this tool is effective because it allows you to connect to your innermost thoughts and feelings that might not come out in talk therapy. Second, it is a way to process your experience with addiction in a way that allows you to also accept that it is a part of your past.

Again, there is no right or wrong way to write a Dear John letter, but here are some helpful suggestions to get started:

• Write about what happened during your drug addiction.
• Talk about the fun parts as well as the dark moments.
• Include the things you feel shame about, like making decisions that you wouldn’t have made sober.
• Once you’ve covered the extent of your addiction, then move on to break up with drugs or alcohol.
• List the reasons why you’re choosing to move on and how you envision your life without substances.

Here’s the bonus: not only do you get to process a difficult part of your life, but you also get to dream about the future. Plus, you don’t have to share this letter with anyone, you don’t need to read it out to your group or even your counselor. It’s yours to keep. However, you are more than welcome to share the letter with a trusted professional if you think it would be helpful to your recovery.

The part I liked the most about writing my letter is that I knew it was private and for my eyes only. I think that helped me open up more and dig deeper into my memories and feelings. While it wasn’t easy, it gave me the most insight of all the things I did in treatment!

Now that I have so many years of recovery under my belt, I am accustomed to telling my story to others if it helps them choose to get the treatment they need. So I’m totally open to sharing my Dear John Letter. It was a big part of my journey that helped me feel like I closed a chapter and took a leap into my life in recovery.

My Goodbye Letter to Drug Addiction

Dear Addiction (Specifically Drugs and Alcohol),

Our time here is done. I say “our” because the truth is, neither one of you were my favorite. You were both kind of mediocre.

While I once found you a soothing tonic to a stressful day, you became a monster inside of me that I needed constant attention. Sure, we had fun. Summer nights after work on the patio: there was laughter, joy, and you provided the social lubrication to make socializing easy. It’s like you shimmied up beside me as a smart, handsome person at the bar who offered me this magic elixir. “Everyone around me was drinking it, so why shouldn’t I?” I wondered.

What you never told me, though, is that you’re insidious like a cancer that ravaged my body until it was unrecognizable.

What hurts the most is I thought I could trust you. You told me that you were a part of normal life. “It’s how people unwind,” you said. But we both know that isn’t true. In just one year of listening to you, my mind was utterly consumed with urges to use…every-single-day. But at the time, it felt like you were a coping strategy that made sense.

For more than ten years, I tried to break up with you. But like a toxic ex, you’d creep back in reminding me that I couldn’t cope without you. We danced like this over-and-over. Until that fateful night. Remember that tragedy that I faced? I desperately needed support, but you just pushed me into a deeper depression. You nearly killed me.

Thank God, even in the midst of a crisis, I woke up to your toxicity. That clarity gave me the strength to pick up the phone and save my life.

Life today is a dream compared to life with you. I have more clarity than I’ve had in twenty years. I see that I never needed you. You weren’t a coping strategy at all — you were a crutch I leaned on. And in the end, you were a negative force in my life set on a path of destruction.

It is with the clarity of recovery that I can tell you with complete certainty that we are broken up. Delete my number, get out of my head, and never ever darken my doorstep with insidiousness again.

From here on out, I have effective ways to cope that don’t involve obliterating my reality and slowly killing myself.

Goodbye forever.

And good riddance!

12 Evidence-Based Therapies for Individualized Addiction Treatment

Finding individualized evidence-based therapies for treatment can be the key to long-term recovery from addiction. Everyone’s experience with addiction is different, so the type of addiction treatment you choose is a vital key to recovery success. Simply put, it’s critical to find a therapy that works best for you.

When I got sober ten years ago, I lived in the U.K. The only options in my area were Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or very limited private treatment. I was out of work and there were no programs that could fund treatment. It felt like I had no choice but to get sober in AA.

I’d tried to do it alone multiple times, but I couldn’t get more than a few days of sober time. I kept relapsing using the “cold turkey” method. But as I grew, so too did my revelations about recovery and the kind of support I needed.

AA has this analogy that recovery is like peeling back layers of an onion to get to the core of who you are. That was my experience in navigating different therapies throughout my recovery journey. The more I revealed, the more I was able to meet my needs for healing.

Determining Your Needs for Treatment

A critical part of the recovery process is being able to get in touch with your needs. Even in the midst of addiction, you can determine that you need to find and pay for treatment or housing, for example.

To determine the right kind of addiction therapy for you, consider:

• Severity of use: The duration and intensity of use will help you to determine if you’ll benefit from inpatient treatment and/or detox. It can be dangerous to stop using certain medications so it’s best to speak to a treatment specialist who can advise you on the best course of action.
• Dual-diagnosis: If you have any other medical conditions, including mental health diagnoses, you may also benefit from treatment under medical supervision in an inpatient facility.
• Commitments at home: If you have responsibilities, like children, and can’t leave home, you may want to opt for outpatient treatment options or partial hospitalization.

Evidence-Based Therapies for Addiction

There are a range of clinical and non-clinical therapies available for addiction treatment. We’re going to focus on evidence-based therapies. These treatments fall into the clinical category.

Treatment Programs

When we’re talking about treatment, we usually think of rehab. But addiction therapies are not limited to inpatient addiction treatment.

They also include:

• Detox: As the name suggests, this therapy provides physical detoxification from substances that can be dangerous to stop alone. Generally, this type of treatment is for people on the acute end of the substance use disorder spectrum and have a physical dependency on a substance.
• Inpatient Treatment Programs: Otherwise known as rehab, inpatient programs involve staying at a facility staffed with nurses, doctors, techs, and psychologists or counselors. They help you achieve a sustained period of recovery. Typically, stays are 30, 60, or 90 days in duration depending on the severity of addiction and any co-occurring disorders. Think of inpatient treatment as a one stop shop for treating your addiction and providing you with the tools you need to sustain sobriety. Note: some inpatient programs also provide detoxification services.
• Intensive Outpatient Programs: As the name suggests, it is outpatient (meaning you can stay at home), but also intensive enough to sustain recovery. Intensive outpatient programs typically require a person to attend nine to 20 hours per week of treatment over the course of two months to a year. This type of program is best suited to those who have a strong family support system, a stable home environment, access to transportation, and a willingness to attend regular treatment sessions.
• Outpatient Addiction Treatment: Like inpatient rehab , but you attend less intensively, during evenings or weekends. Outpatient is best suited to people who have work or school commitments and each facility will have different expectations as to the frequency of visits per week.
• Partial Hospitalization: This involves staying at a stand alone clinic or hospital for 4-8 hours per day, but returning home at the end of the day. These programs last around 3 months and are best suited to people with a stable and supportive home environment.
• Residential Programs: These provide a sober living environment together with treatment services. Stays can be anywhere from a month to a year or longer. These programs have various phases of treatment to assist the person in establishing and maintaining recovery. These types of programs are great for people who don’t have stable living or employment, and/or limited social support.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Otherwise known as pharmacology or pharmacotherapy, this is the use of medications, together with behavioral therapies, for the treatment of opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. MAT is now considered the gold standard of therapies for opioid addiction because it reduces cravings, improves patient survival rates, and increases retention in treatment programs. MAT is best suited to those with opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder.

Behavioral Evidence-Based Therapies

There are a range of behavioral therapies that can be used alone or in combination with the above treatment programs. Typically, any kind of formal treatment program will involve some kind of behavioral therapy, of which there are many (see below).

Some of the most effective evidence-based therapies include:

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an 8-stage therapy that uses eye movements, light, and psychotherapy to help individuals overcome trauma.
• 12-Step Facilitation is a semi-structured program that is led by a facilitator over the course of four to 12 sessions. Ultimately, the goal is participation in the 12 Step program like Alcoholics Anonymous to help people abstain from drugs and alcohol. The facilitation sessions also offer the opportunity to discuss attendance at AA and to discuss anything that arises.
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) includes a range of approaches that work on the premise that behavior is influenced by a cognitive process. The belief underpinning CBT is that addiction is a maladaptive coping strategy, therefore the therapy focuses on developing new behavioral skills for coping. The therapies involved under the umbrella of CBT include:
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) also includes skill-building to positively influence behaviors, with the addition of mindfulness strategies to regulate emotions and cope with stress.
  • Contingency Management also works on behavioral modification, but with an incentive-based approach to positively reinforce change. Participants may be given vouchers, financial incentives, or other privileges to reward positive changes.
  • Rational Emotional Behavioral Therapy (REBT) is an action-oriented therapy that identifies negative or irrational thought patterns that lead to negative thoughts or emotions. By identifying these thought processes, the idea is that you can use REBT to interrupt these patterns and create healthier and more productive beliefs and behaviors.
• Behavioral Couples Therapy: As the name suggests, this type of therapy involves both partners in therapy i.e., the person with substance use disorder and their partner. The goal of couples therapy is to overcome addiction and to improve the relationship through better communication, acceptance, and change.
• Family Therapy: Like couple’s therapy, family therapy involves anyone in the immediate family of those struggling with addiction. Similarly, it also works to improve family communication, create lasting change, and improve relationships.
• Motivational Interviewing (MI) This is a technique used to explore and resolve ambivalence around substance use by motivating the individual to make positive behavioral MI involves empathetic listening, reinforcement, and supports the individual in their ability to meet their goals.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): This works on the principles of acceptance, mindfulness, tolerance and personal values. ACT’s goal is to develop the flexibility to tolerate difficult emotions and experiences while maintaining recovery.
• Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA/ACRA): This therapy uses group-based behavioral interventions that provide responses (or consequences) and rewards in response to certain behaviors, like addiction or sustained recovery.
• Relapse Prevention or Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention (RP/MBRP) This utilizes strategies and skills-building to help promote recovery and decrease relapse.

How My Needs Changed Throughout My Recovery

As I mentioned earlier, 12-step recovery initially helped me get sober. But as I progressed in my journey — or revealed more layers of the onion — I found that I had other issues to deal with: unresolved trauma, depression, and ADHD.

Ultimately, that led me to seek out a trauma therapist to help work through my traumatic childhood. Once I had gained some healing, I could then move on to developing solid coping strategies and emotional regulation techniques through dialectical behavioral therapy.

The combination of evidence-based therapies during sustained recovery has been life changing. No longer do I feel like I’m on an emotional rollercoaster and I haven’t had a desire to drink or use for years. These coping strategies have been essential to me not only in sustaining recovery, but also in my ability to take on challenges in life, like buying a house, getting married, and going back to school.

Whatever you choose in your pathway of recovery, know that there are always options available to you as you progress through your journey.

If you or someone you love is experiencing a substance use disorder, help is available. Call 800-914-7089 (Sponsored) today.

Paying for Rehab: Will Medicare or Medicaid Cover Treatment?

Can Medicare and Medicaid help with paying for rehab? The short answer to this question is yes, there is some coverage under Medicare and Medicaid…but it can get complicated.

So we’re going to uncomplicate things for you right here, right now.

I remember being so confused about each program, and it felt like I hit a brick wall. When you’re looking for the right treatment facility, the last thing you want is to do a ton of stressful research. Trying to understand your eligibility in the midst of an addiction crisis is exhausting!

I’ll start by providing a brief explanation of both insurance programs, how they work, and who is covered. That way you can focus on what’s important: finding the addiction treatment you deserve.

What is Medicaid?

Medicaid is a federally and state funded program that provides healthcare coverage. Medicaid is the largest payer of mental health services in America, accounting for 21 percent of the nation’s substance use disorder treatment.

But it hasn’t always been this way…

Not too long ago, health insurance providers actively denied addiction treatment, while covering the cost of care for many other chronic conditions. That’s why The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act was passed. These acts legally ensure Americans with mental health and substance use disorders aren’t discriminated against for behavioral health treatments.

In order to get coverage under Medicaid, you’ll need to meet certain requirements. The important thing to keep in mind is that Medicaid can help with paying for rehab. But the extent of Medicaid coverage depends on your unique circumstances.

Who Qualifies for Medicaid Coverage?

Typically, Medicaid eligibility is based on financial and other eligibility requirements.

Medicaid generally provides coverage for:

• Older adults (over the age of 65)
• People with disabilities
• Children
• Pregnant women
• Parents and/or caretakers of children
• Those who need nursing home care, long-term care, and home health care services

Generally speaking, if you qualify for Medicaid, you’ll also qualify for Medicare. Cost of care is generally covered by Medicare first, then Medicaid.

People who are considered low income or belong to certain groups tend to qualify for Medicaid.

Does Medicaid Cover Addiction Treatment?

You can expect Medicaid to cover part of your addiction treatment costs in most states. However, the extent of coverage depends on whether you have other forms of health insurance and state requirements.

Most treatment centers now accept Medicaid, with little to no co-pay.

Coverage typically includes:

• Intervention
• Screenings and assessments
• Inpatient and outpatient programs, including residential programs, partial hospitalization, and detoxification
• Mental health services
• Medication-assisted treatment, including: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone
• Addiction counseling and therapy for individuals and families
• Outpatient visits
• Activity-based therapies
• Lab tests

Most states cover a range of addiction treatment services. Just be sure to verify your coverage and confirm how much (if any) you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket for treatment.

What is Medicare?

Medicare is available to people over the age of 65 or those who experience disabilities. You may be expected to pay a monthly premium for Medicare, which is based on your income. There are two types of Medicare: original Medicare (Part A, B, and D) and the Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C).

Does Medicare Help with Paying for Rehab?

In terms of paying for rehab, Medicare may cover the costs of both inpatient and outpatient programs.

There are four parts of Medicare coverage:

• Part A: Covers hospital stays, including inpatient treatment for up to 60 days
• Part B: Covers outpatient care at up to 80 percent, including therapy, medication, mental health disorders and co-occurring conditions like PTSD and substance use disorder
• Part C: This is essentially Medicare-approved private insurance for folks who want more extensive benefits than they would get with Medicare alone. It’s known as the Medicare Advantage Plan. Coverage includes prescriptions, hearing, vision, dental. Members can apply for four different options under the Medicare Advantage plan:
  • Medicare SNPs: For people with a specific disease or condition, including addiction
  • Medicare HMO: Covers in-network coverage, but medication coverage may vary
  • Medicare PFFS: Offered by private insurers and they determine what is covered and how much you pay for healthcare services
  • Medicare PPO: Provides a network of healthcare providers both in and out of network
• Part D: Covers medication, such as medication-assisted treatments like those used to treat opioid use disorder (buprenorphine, naltrexone, and methadone).

It’s possible that you can qualify for Medicare and Medicaid, particularly if you are over the age of 65, if you are considered low income, or if you have a disability. Keep in mind, however, each state has different eligibility requirements.

How to Verify Coverage for Medicaid

There is a specific application process when you apply for Medicaid, but it differs slightly from state to state. In some states, the Medicaid office may be referred to by a different name, like the Department of Health, the Department of Social Services, or the Department of Insurance (among other names).

While the best way to verify coverage is to contact your state’s office, here’s a step-by-step guide for what you need to do:

• Find out the name of your local Medicaid office, then contact them to find out how they receive applications. Some offices require in person applications, while other states accept applications online, by mail, by telephone, through a local health center, or via a community organization.
• Before sending in your application, you need to have some specific documents ready. The Medicaid office may ask for any of these documents:
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship or other lawful residence, such as a driving license, passport, green card, birth certificate, employment authorization card
  • Proof of date of birth, such as a birth certificate or driver’s license
  • Proof of income, such as paycheck stubs, Social Security income, or retirement benefits
  • Proof of financial resources, like bank statements, life insurance policies, and any other financial assets
  • Proof of residence, such as a lease agreement, rent receipt, statement from a landlord, or deed to your home
  • Insurance cards for any other health insurance you currently hold (including Medicare)

It’s important to note that Medicaid coverage is available regardless of citizenship status, pregnancy, or if you require emergency treatment for a medical condition. You simply need to provide a doctor’s note to certify a medical condition requiring treatment.

How to Sign up for Medicare

You can sign up for Medicare via the Medicare website within three months of your 65th birthday or if you have a disability. You must sign up during what’s called a “general enrollment” period, which runs from January 1 to March 31 every year.

However, there is a special enrollment period. It can extend the enrollment period up to eight months under certain circumstances, such as having coverage under a group health plan, if your spouse has a health insurance plan that covers you.

The Pitfalls of Using Medicare or Medicaid When Paying for Rehab

There is no doubt that Medicare and Medicaid can increase accessibility when it comes to paying for rehab. But there are also a number of qualifications you’ll need to meet in order to qualify:

• You must be eligible
• Your doctor must determine addiction treatment is medically necessary
• Government programs generally cover up to 80 percent of the total cost of treatment
• Some treatment providers may not take Medicare and/or Medicaid
• Medicare will only cover inpatient addiction treatment for a duration of 60 days

Call the Treatment Center to Ask About Paying for Rehab

Along with determining your eligibility for coverage, it’ll be important for you to find a rehab that accepts Medicare or Medicaid. Use the Rehabs.com directory to search the nation’s best treatment facilities, make a short list of rehabs that provide the services you need, then call the treatment center to ask if they accept Medicare or Medicaid.

Yes, Medicare and Medicaid are certainly valid options to help you pay for rehab…you just have to do a little bit of pre-planning and know what to look for.

Get help today at 800-914-7089 (Sponsored) to learn more about the addiction treatment programs available in your area.

How I Qualified for a Drug Rehab Scholarship

I’ll never forget the sheer desperation I felt at the end of my addiction. I knew I needed help, but I couldn’t afford to pay for rehab. I lost my job, and I was completely broke. I thought my situation was hopeless.

If I sank much into my addiction, I knew I’d be dead. But I didn’t know where to turn. I drank all day, every day. Even my friends were sick of my addiction. I wanted to stop, but I couldn’t.

I still don’t know if there’s a “Higher Power,” but I was desperate enough to get on my knees and ask the universe for help.

Whether my prayers were answered or the Internet’s algorithm stepped in, I found the answer I needed:

Treatment may be accessible through a rehab scholarship.

What is a Rehab Scholarship?

A scholarship provides part or all of the funding for addiction treatment services. And when I started searching for scholarships, I found out some important facts:

• Scholarships can be used with private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid.
• Scholarships cover a range of treatments (see the section below, What Do Scholarships Cover?), but they don’t cover what’s considered “luxury” treatment, which may include massages and acupuncture.
• They are available through both non-profits and private treatment centers.
• Individuals eligible for scholarships include:
  • People unable to seek funding elsewhere
  • Individuals not covered under Medicare and Medicaid (although scholarships can be used alongside this coverage)
  • Underinsured people
  • Individuals with co-existing conditions, such as a mental health concern
  • People committed to completing the program
• Scholarships are fairly easy to apply for. Do your research and apply for multiple scholarships. Remember, scholarships are in high demand.

What Do Rehab Scholarships Cover?

Scholarships are generally awarded by non-profit organizations, along with outpatient and inpatient treatment centers. Depending on the applicant’s financial needs, a scholarship could cover a significant portion of your out-of-pocket costs.

Since the cost of inpatient treatment is usually more expensive — usually anywhere from $3,000 to $20,000 — an inpatient facility may provide more financial assistance than outpatient treatment centers. And specific treatments covered by the funds from scholarships will vary by the treatment program.

Scholarships generally do not cover treatments that are optional or considered luxury, which may include acupuncture, massage therapy, fitness training, spa treatments, salon services, etc.

4 Important Considerations For a Rehab Scholarship

Before I share my experience applying for a treatment scholarship, there are four important considerations to keep in mind:

1. Rehab scholarships are generally need-based. Essentially, they are only offered to people with absolutely no other alternative — no insurance, no credit, and no resources or assets.
2. Treatment centers offer a limited number of scholarships. Most rehabs set aside a certain portion of their income to offer scholarships every year. If that money has not already been used up, and if you qualify, you may be in luck.
3. The facility may offer some financial assistance. For example, if your insurance covers 75 percent of the treatment’s cost, the rehab facility may be willing to pick up the other 25 percent.
4. Not all rehab programs offer scholarships. You’ll need to do your homework by calling multiple treatment centers and researching online.

Other financial options include a sliding-scale payment plan. These plans are designed for people unable to pay the full costs of treatment. They’re often referred to as “income-based” payment plans.

How to Apply for a Rehab Scholarship

I’m always interested in hearing about another person’s personal experience when making major life choices. And addiction treatment is certainly one of those major life choices, right? It’s a major investment in yourself – and your life!

With that said, here’s how I applied for (a lot of) addiction treatment scholarships and was lucky enough to earn one:

• I Started with Research
  • Search the scholarship website 10,000 Beds. The organization has awarded millions of dollars in treatment scholarships over the past eight years. You can apply online on the first Monday of the month from March to November.
    • Please note that you must meet the following criteria:
      • You’re ready to commit to at least 30 days of residential treatment.
      • You don’t have the resources to cover the costs of treatment.
      • You need treatment for substance use disorder.
      • You’ve exhausted all other options.
  • Research private rehabs, then call them and ask if they have scholarships available. This may involve calling a lot of treatment centers in your area. Be prepared with a set of questions, including:
    •  How much of the treatment is covered (partial or full-funding)?
    • How many scholarships are available?
    • When will you receive an answer to your application?
    • If partially funded, what other financing options are available?
    • If they don’t offer scholarships, do they know of other treatment centers that do?
  • Ask for scholarship information from local recovery community organizations and other community resources, such as churches, social workers, and charity organizations.
• Apply Apply Apply: Because of the high demand, you’ll need to apply for multiple addiction treatment scholarships.
• Follow-up After Applying: Treatment centers may receive hundreds of scholarship applications. After around 30 days or so, call them to make sure they received your application. Ask the facility when you may receive an answer.
• Be Ready: When a bed opens up and they have a spot for you, the call could come at any moment. You need to be ready to go when that call comes. Have a bag packed. Be ready to tell your close friends, family, and employer.
• Don’t Give Up: There are other options available if you can’t find a scholarship.

If You Can’t Find a Rehab Scholarship…

While there are certainly a lot of scholarships available, demand is still enormously higher than the supply for this type of financial assistance. If you’re unable to secure a scholarship, it isn’t the end of the road. Please don’t give up.

Consider these options:

• Some state-run facilities offer free treatment. But these treatment facilities are generally smaller with limited space for clients.
• You may qualify for coverage under Medicare or Medicaid. Check out our recent blog, Paying for Rehab: Will Medicare and Medicaid Cover Treatment?
• Grants are available in every state via Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grants, which cover the cost of treatment. You can find out more by visiting the website GrantWatch.
• Many rehabs have financing options available. That means you may be able to pay for treatment over a period of time. All those treatment centers you called earlier asking about scholarships? Call them back and ask if they have financing options available. Don’t give up until you get the answers you need.

A Note On Recovery

While I was lucky enough to get a scholarship, I’ve got to be real with you: I applied for 38 different scholarships and got one acceptance letter.

I literally spent days on my phone and computer. And it was beyond stressful to keep calling over and over again, asking questions and trying to find someone else I could speak to about financial help. It was like having a full-time job! But the effort I put into finding a treatment scholarship was worth every second.

At the end of the day, it was that one single rehab scholarship that saved my life. There’s no way I could have afforded to go to treatment otherwise. I spent 60 days in rehab before I came home with a brand new outlook and a mindset committed to my recovery. That was five years ago, and I haven’t used (or wanted to use) since I finished treatment.

If I could give myself one piece of advice back then — back when I could feel myself getting discouraged and my addiction tried its very best to convince me there was no hope — here’s what it would be:

Do not give up. Keep calling, applying, asking for advice, reapplying, and researching. You’re worthy of treatment, and you deserve a life of recovery. You’ve made it this far…hang in there just a little longer and your life will improve in ways you can’t yet imagine.

For information about treatment options for you or a loved one, get help at 800-914-7089 (Sponsored) today.