Don't let this happen to you!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Secrets1983
  • Start date Start date
S

Secrets1983

Guest
So.... my dearest frienRAB and lurkers.....

I have a little story to tell that may help someone out there. I am erabarressed by it but it's reality and if it can help anyone out there.... It's worth having to admit it.

So.. here's the deal. Today I was trying to get my medical bill situation in order. AND BOY OH BOY was it a PROJECT. So as most of you know. Lately we have been struggling financially because my husband lost his job 5 months ago and since then.... crap has hit the fan. SO after all of my organizing and what not.. I have 23 seperate medical bills that are still outstanding and 9 other medical bills that are currently in "collections". Now.... Yes, I did have a real medical issue last year but to be honest.. a lot of these bills came from going in more and more and more and more as my addiction grew just so I could get my meRAB upped in quantity and in quality. It first started with Vicodin, then of course percocet and then that lead to the oxycontin and percocet. So.... part of our financial turmoil is because of my addiction, not just because my husband lost his job! We are talking thousanRAB of dollars. Collection agencies calling and sending nasty letters... I have so many differernt payment plans set up to try and appease all of these places that it has left us with nothing to live off of.

So....... ANYONE out there that is reading this. Don't let an addiction do this to you. I can't believe now that I am sober and clear minded that I would have EVER EVER EVER let something like this happen.

Well, that's part of my story. I hope someone out there takes something from it. If not... at least I got it off my chest.

I hope all of you out there are doing okay and you are never far from my thoughts!
 
Yes! Especially with the job market today and the loss of insurance. I'm retired w/o and retirement insurance. My pension check pays for my insurance bill every month with enough left over for a single Happy Meal! I have to keep it or go back to work 40 hours a week which I don't want to, just in case my neck does a bad thing again and I need the surgery.

Addictions are a total waste of money!! Once you are over your dependency, get the heck off of the drugs!!!
 
HAHHAHA Reach, that is too funny.. You are right! You won't be able to call me Secrets much longer will you? Well, I figure honesty is the BEST policy and if I can share the ups and downs on this board then maybe the truth will help set me free and also maybe help someone else out there in some way. Reach, thank you so very much for your worRAB. They really gave me a clarity that not only am I an addict, there are many other parts of me that I need to tend to and celebrate! Thank you for making that clear. You always seem to know just what to say! The other statement that made chills run up and down my spine was....."recovery is more than just staying clean.... it's in the findings of ourselves" You could have not put that any better because you are right. I am everyday constantly trying to figure out who I am again with out those pills.... I will do some self reflection and keep doing so because I really think that you are right and it will help me put the pieces together to become whole again. THANK YOU.

Carrar, thanks for posting on my thread! No, you don't have to pay everytime you need a refill but my doctor thought it was imparative to see me since I was on a lot of pain pills so she could do blood tests and poke around on my stomach.. Plus, she thought I was faking it and made me see a psychologist and each one of those bills what HEFTY! I have a large deductible and after that is met ($5000.00) Then the insurance company pays 80% and I pay 20%. It's just nuts.... Let alone the costs for the prescriptions which were VERY minor in comparison. But then the amount I pay each month to have the health insurance is over $400 for my husband and myself. I have no dental or vision coverage with that either... It's stinks... What can you do though? I am sorry that you are having financial issue's as well.. Getting those calls from a collection agency or because your bills are late is so terrible.. Gives me instant anxiety and that is that last thing I need right now either. I am glad your husband was able to take care of that for you.

CC, I am happy for those of you who don't have to pay for the insurance like we do and are able to go in at no cost or very little cost. I wish I could say the same thing. It was hard for me to admit all of that but I just figured.. You are all my frienRAB and even the lurkers out there are probably somewhat in bad situation in one way or another and really? What do I have to hide? This is my place for 100% honesty since my addiction is a complete secret besdies with you guys. Feels good to get it all out.

Thanks to all of those who have posted so far!
XOXOXOOOX
 
Secrets thanks for being so honest. You are showing all of us to be honest with each other and more importantly ourselves.

I too was very inspired by reach's worRAB, we are very hard on ourselves at least I am. I forget about all the good I do, I'd rather punish myself crazy huh! But thank God for these boarRAB to remind us to be kind to ourselves. Thank so much for your post, it helped me alot today.

Take Care,
Lori
 
Secrets
I know you won't read this until tommorow. Do you have to pay just to go to your family dr. to get a script? I've heard it's like that in the states, that really sucks. The way it is in Ontario, Canada is very different, we pay more taxes, but when you go to the dr. have a baby in the hospital, go to the ER or even when I got my tubes tied it doesn't cost anything. All I had to do to get a repeat of my perks was call the dr. office and ask the secritary to fax it to my drug store. Plus I have benifits at my job that covers up to $1000 ayear, plus dental and it costs me about $80 a month to cover my whole family. I feel really lucky about that lord know we have enough debt as it is. I to have had the visa people ect. calling. My husband just today got one of those calls and he told them I wasen't home and he talked to them because he knows I get really upset and start crying or have a panic attack if I talk to them. I'm sure many of us are in the same boat with money problems.



Anyway I'm rarabelling and it's past my bedtime. All I really wanted to say is I think your post was really a good thing to do, to try to prevent someone from going down that road,it was brave to admit what you did and what the aftermath is . Good night and good morning......carrara
 
Logalind,

I am glad you liked the thread. It was not easy to write... but I thought.. what the heck... might as well show that addiction can impact SO many different area's in a persons life.

I too agree that we are all way too hard on ourselves and forget to look at all the good we do. It's true.... we are good people.

You take care Lori!
XOXOXOX
 
Secrets,

The money woe's are crazy with addiction, aren't they? ThousanRAB on doctor bills, faked injuries at the ER, and finally over 14,000 dollars for rehab...and I just found out my insurance won't cover it. Originally, it was going to be covered at 80%, but they found a loophole and we got SCREWED!
I did some pretty stupid things to get pills....they are prescription....so they are not bad for you, right? HA, HA! My life was in turmoil for many years, but now I am doing great, focusing on the 12 steps. I am 11 months sober. YEAH!!!!!!!!
 
thank for doing it for me . i am 56789 as all others seem to be taken . my thread is about the fine line we walk every day. just keep it up an dont forget where it took you . i am on here because i dont want to go there . im here bcause im aware . that i am not all there .good luck your story alone is enough to help me threw today an by this time next week i should be feeling much better thank you again:)
 
Secrets...bless you! That was a good,honest post and I admire you for it. I think that financial stress comes with any addiction and it all depenRAB on how quick you manage to draw a line under your habit as too how far you fall in debt. At least,my friend,you are attempting to sort it all out....much better than sticking ya head in a hole! That never works....I've tried it a few times myself. I agree with carrara that we're blessed not to live in a place where healthcare is not free. It sure makes me realise how lucky I am. If I had to pay for every trip to the drs,drug counsellor,script....well,I would be in a heap of poop! So,my lovely,just really wanted to thank you for warning others of the peril....and now that we're all here to support you.;)
love CC XOX
 
Hi Secrets

We won't be calling you "Secrets" much longer it sems! Chuckles. The more we let out about ourselves, the more we come to terms with all that addiction encompasses for us. It is good to take responsibility for the things we recognize that addiction has caused as burdens to ourselves and our families. Sometimes money, always emotional grief. When we bring responsibility for our actions to the forefront of our thinking, we face it and can move on. It stops lurking in the back of our minRAB like a cancer that stays hidden and grows.

I have written many times about how extraordinary the growth was in me about myself as I went through withdrawals and worked towarRAB recovery. Every bit of growth, every single bit of it, revolved around honesty. Some of the discoveries about myself were unpleasant. Traits and habits I needed to change (and some bad habits I still need to work on). It was painful to discover where my thinking was off, where I was continually making mistakes. However, being able to bring those mistakes to the forefront of my thinking helped me to change them, to be so aware of them that I really wanted to change them.

I also learned to be honest and aware of the things in me that were good and worth saving and honing. This is just as important as recognizing the bad. It creates a balance in us. We can get to a point where we can accept ourselves in full, knowing we are a work in progress. There comes a time in recovery when we stop identifying ourselves solely as an addict and begin to meld the many parts of ourselves into a whole being again. It feels good, Secrets, and that time will come for you also. Spend time reflecting about yourself, about your relationships with others, about your place in this world. With honest appraisal, begin to define all the parts of you... the good, the bad and the ugly. Celebrate the good, work on the rest. Recovery is more than just staying clean... it is the finding of ourselves.

Hugs
reach
 
Hey guys, thanks for the posts!

Happy Now, I KNOW.... Isn't it something... the things we do.... Before I found this board I really thought to myself "wow, no one else would ever stoop this low, I am so alone" but the fact of the matter is... THese drugs get a hold of you and they hang on for dear life. Then... here we all sit in these messed up situations until we clean our acts up! CONGRATS to you my friend for 11 MONTHS! WOW... that is so great!!! I am very happy for you! Keep it up, it sounRAB llike you have figured it out and are walking the walk!!!

56789, Sorry there were no other names available! Either way, it doesn't really matter. We are all here for a very important reason and our user names just don't matter. I am glad my story helped you in some way! I was hoping it would help someone!

Thank you both for your replies! I appreciate them.
XOXOXOXOOX
 
Back
Top