My sister is hooked on drugs for quite some time now. My entire family knows about this, but we didn’t do anything not until she started to suffer from terrible panic attacks and has drowned in bitter depression. Unless she straightens her act out, she might not be able to land a good job, especially now that she has a two-year-old daughter to look out for. I don’t know what to do. I am tempted to let her live with us (she’s in Illinois, and I’m in New York), but I may not be able to fully support her and I also have a family of my own. So might as well send her to a rehab center instead. How much do rehab centers, especially in Illinois, cost? I’ve found this [DLMURL="http://drugrehabhelp.org/directory/odp.php?browse=/Health/Addictions/Substance_Abuse/Centers_and_Counseling_Services/North_America/United_States/Illinois/"]partial list[/DLMURL] of rehab centers, but I don’t know which of them can be best for her. If you have other centers to suggest, please do let me know.
RE: drug rehab help for my sister
Dear Julie
I'm so sorry to hear about your sister's addiction. Do you know what drugs she's addicted to? (Some are easier to get off than others.) I'm afraid I'm in UK so can't help you about US rehabs. However I think it important that you recognise that your moving your sister around as though she were a piece on a chessboard is probably not the answer. Unless she wants to be rid of her addiction, nothing you do (unfortunately) is going to have any effect. This really is her battle and I think the best you can do is just be there for her. She's very fortunate to have you behind her and I truly hope that she will make use of your help and free herself of her addictions before they harm her daughter's emotional wellbeing. What does she have to say about her life? Does she want to change?
I know what it's like to agonise over a family member and my heart goes out to all of you. Good luck.
With love
Sunanda xxx