Danielle's Fight Against Alcohol Addiction

My mother, like many other individuals, suffers from the disease of addiction. She has battled alcohol addiction for nearly twenty years, and has continued to decline in health and self-sustainability. Over the years she has faced homelessness, job loss, and mental crises leaving her alone. Her most recent mental break cost her to lose her job and home while in an effort to escape an abusive relationship, fueled by alcoholism.

I have taken my mother in to my home, which is far from the communities of Milwaukee she knows, and am helping her extensively get back on track with a plan. She is excited to get real professional help. In the past, it was easier for me and anyone else involved in her life to put the burden back on her to fix her problem. My thought was, she was the person who had the problem and its hers to solve. But this time around, after feeling exhausted with the continuous circle of failure, I decided to show her how to do it - only to find that help is not as easy to find as I previously thought. My immediate reaction was sheer frustration, because I thought I took on more than I could chew.

The aid from programs such as WIC (Food Stamps), State Health Insurance, and Energy Assistance do not cover all the costs of living or necessarily get accepted by the institutions that can provide mental and addiction treatment services. The limits of health insurance coverage dictate the level of care an individual is afforded - which is not right. Not everyone fits the same care model and some people need more help than others. However, this has not discouraged my moms ambition to find recovery as she is sick and tired of battling homelessness and finding food to survive.

She was hoping to get into a residential type of treatment program but her insurance was not supported for that level of care. It broke my heart to hear that someone who is on state provided insurance, arguably better than my own, cannot get residential treatment or has to go on a wait list that is months long. People on state insurance are likely some of the most in need for such treatment, which is probably why the cycle never ends for so many who struggle with addiction.

However, all was not lost. We found another option. She has self-enrolled into a partial hospitalization program where she commits to mental health treatment and addiction counseling services for the next 4-8 weeks. This is a day program that provides a safe place for her to discuss her feelings, get counseling on past trauma, medication assisted treatment, and obtain a network of new resources.

This is the first time in 20 years she has gone to get legitimate, long-term help. Past treatment was primarily in the form of undesired weekend stays with prescriptions shoved down her throat. The program will hopefully find a constructive way for her to grow, guide her anxious habits, and meet like-minded individuals who will help her through recovery. People in her program see the world through a different lens, one I am not familiar with or able to understand. This is a major reason as to why addiction tears families apart and not just the user.

To me, the most important step has been started. However, there are many more steps involved in getting my mom on her feet and able to support herself as a dignified individual. The cost of continued care, financial challenges of independence, and comfort to go in public are all on-going challenges her and I will face - together. Like many other alcoholics, the consequences of their actions run deeper and wider than just housing and income. Every action she needed to take so far has brought to light new and old obstacles to address - but it has not discourage her. In fact, she is more positive than me!

Danielle has been actively applying for jobs nearby, has accepted 2 positions already, and continues to aggressively seek out solutions to her situation through research and phone calls. Her positive attitude and continued focus show me, for the first time, she is serious about seeking help and turning her life around. She realizes that the habits and lifestyle she has had, hasn't worked thus far in life, and will be learning some new life skills while staying with me.

She entrusts me to build a financial plan that she can stick to that prioritizes debts for her to manage and get back on top. She sees and feels like she is becoming a functional part of the community again in only a few short days. However for her and I, it has felt like months of work. It is nice to finally see her succeed, even if they are small wins. I can see in her eyes and hear in her voice as she speaks how proud she is for the first time in years. She is no longer just running through the motions, but actively seeking help and cheerfully doing her homework.

I ask that if you can or know Danielle, to contribute towards our goal. Any funds received will be first and foremost used to extend treatment for Danielle when insurance stops coverage at the end of the "covered" period for the partial hospitalization program. It may also be used to support additional health related things such as medications, counseling, medical bills and potential housing. (Funds received in this account will be managed by Tim). We have researched the cost of care, and found it will be around $5000 for an additional 4 weeks of partial hospitalization care.

After going through all the work myself to help guide my moms next steps, I realized addiction and treatment are not so easily put together. It is true, a person suffering from addiction needs to have the desire to change. But it is also true that they will need help getting back up - whether it is emotionally, financially, or physically. I also realize she may fail, and relapse is part of recovery. I can only hope that the past 20 years have been the relapse part of her recovery...

If you know someone facing addiction, know it is a difficult battle for them and all of their family. Please reach out so I can share my experiences with you, or so I can listen to your story and help lift the burden you may feel you have. No one should suffer in silence. #mentalhealth