Can't afford rehab?

SororAKS, ADN, RN · Aug 5, 2016

I'd go ahead with the rehab locally, and tell them there's no way you can afford to travel out of state or cough up that kind of money if they don't accept Medicaid. See if they will accept your local rehab even if it's not specifically geared towards healthcare professionals. Also ask about any financial assistance programs that may be available.

amaryllis135 · Aug 5, 2016

Ok I will do that. I can't imagine what choice I have really. Thank you sincerely for your input â¤ï¸

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2016

I found out the hard (and expensive) way, that going to a place that the program recommends is not necessarily the only option. I took the only option the program offered that did not reject me (long unrelated story there). What took me was a shady outfit that did not take insurance and operated under some rather questionable ethics. Only after the expenditure of an eye-popping amount of money and several months of inappropriate treatment, did I find out that it is possible to go somewhere other than where they say. As for a "professionals program?" At least in my experience, it's a load of hooey. In my horrid experience there was very little difference between what the docs/nurses, etc were pushed through and what the non-pros did. Also the only way you were going to be done in less than 90 days was if you ran out of $$$. "Oh you're broke? ok, you're all better, buh-bye"

Personally I think when it comes to recovering from whatever may have prompted you to call the program, YOU are what needs the help. Being a nurse, doctor or whatever does not change that. I think (again this is my personal opinion) that the outfits that supposedly cater to the "professionals" do so only because that is a sector that is likely to have the financial resources and also stand to lose the most if they don't toe the line and pay up. i seriously doubt it has anything to do with a sincere want to help the impaired professional. Sadly, it comes down to being about the $$$, but then aren't most things related to these programs?

amaryllis135 · Aug 6, 2016

Unfortunately I think you are totally right. When I told them it was impossible what they are asking me to do they gave me another facility to call, with a 2 month waiting list.

They are making this so much harder than it needs to be for someone who desperately wants the help. The addiction specialist assessments to me seem unnecessary first of all if I am self-reporting and acknowledging I need I patient tx.

On an unrelated note, the woman charged me an exorbitant amount of money to tell me what I already knew and spend 2 hours being frankly very rude, condescending and disrespectful.

To me the professional programs also sound very silly. Rehab is rehab is it not? I feel that these specialists, the boards and these approved professional programs are together making a killing off of their "recommendations".

My current move is I am going to find a somewhat local program that will accept my insurance and then ask the program to approve them. I need help now and these hoops aren't helping me get better any time soon.

amaryllis135 · Aug 6, 2016

Also wanted to add that you struck the nail on the head about me needing the help as an individual

and not just necessarily as a HC professional. I wasn't a med diverter, but just a run-of-the-mill street drug user. So I feel the HC professional requirement is even less important in my case. This is all so very frustrating!

CryssyD · Aug 8, 2016

Yes it is very frustrating, and I'm starting to believe that it's designed to be that way. You would like to think that nursing boards and addiction professionals are on our side, want to help us get back on our feet, and share our goals of recovery AND remaining in the profession we have devoted our lives to. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that may not be the case; I think the goal is really to make the process as difficult and painful as possible--maybe as a way of weeding out all but the most cussedly determined--while milking us of every possible cent along the way. I don't know, but, whatever it is, it really ticks me off.

Do what is right and best for you--I know you want to stay in nursing but your health and happiness are more important; get whatever help you can, stay in contact with the program, and hope that they will be reasonable after all.

We're all pulling for you here--keep us posted! :yeah:

caliotter3 · Aug 8, 2016

As for milking money from the patient, reminds me of my mother, who had "tuberculosis" many years ago and spent months in a facility, until she had no more money to pay, then, and only then, she no longer had "tuberculosis".

needlesmcgeeRN, ASN, RN · Aug 9, 2016

The BON does not exist to protect us, but rather to protect the public FROM us.

Yes it is very frustrating, and I'm starting to believe that it's designed to be that way. You would like to think that nursing boards and addiction professionals are on our side, want to help us get back on our feet, and share our goals of recovery AND remaining in the profession we have devoted our lives to.

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2016

I get the whole "the BON is not your friend" thing and that is correct. I don't even argue the point of punishment/consequences, etc. What I do argue is that fact that the punishment does not fit the crime. True the BONs don't care one bit and I wouldn't expect them to. That's like asking the IRS to care if you can't pay your taxes. i think what is so very frustrating is that the very people who are in our profession, who are responsible for accurate and appropriate diagnoses and recommendations, have instead sold out to the god of money. The seemingly cozy situation between the programs, certain evaluators and certain treatment facilities is frustrating and appalling.

I just read an article where it was found that a judge was sentencing kids to a specific (private) juvenile detention center in exchange for monetary kickbacks. My understanding is that such a thing is illegal. Anyone think it sounds kind of familiar?

While I would hope that there is no outright exchange of money, too many people associated with the existence of these programs are making a killing under the guise of helping people.

These programs are called monitoring? Call a duck a duck, people. It's punishment, plain and simple. And it's heaped onto people with a steam shovel whether warranted or not. Many different people are brought into this situation for many different reasons, and yet we are all treated the same. People convicted of heinous crimes are eligible for early release, but not us even if no crime was committed?

SororAKS, ADN, RN · Aug 9, 2016

Duck, duck, duck. Not anything but DUCK

SororAKS, ADN, RN · Aug 11, 2016

I get the whole "the BON is not your friend" thing and that is correct. I don't even argue the point of punishment/consequences, etc. What I do argue is that fact that the punishment does not fit the crime. True the BONs don't care one bit and I wouldn't expect them to. That's like asking the IRS to care if you can't pay your taxes. i think what is so very frustrating is that the very people who are in our profession, who are responsible for accurate and appropriate diagnoses and recommendations, have instead sold out to the god of money. The seemingly cozy situation between the programs, certain evaluators and certain treatment facilities is frustrating and appalling.
I just read an article where it was found that a judge was sentencing kids to a specific (private) juvenile detention center in exchange for monetary kickbacks. My understanding is that such a thing is illegal. Anyone think it sounds kind of familiar?
While I would hope that there is no outright exchange of money, too many people associated with the existence of these programs are making a killing under the guise of helping people.
These programs are called monitoring? Call a duck a duck, people. It's punishment, plain and simple. And it's heaped onto people with a steam shovel whether warranted or not. Many different people are brought into this situation for many different reasons, and yet we are all treated the same. People convicted of heinous crimes are eligible for early release, but not us even if no crime was committed?

The IRS is nicer.