Dear Rick and Amy,

I want to thank you for all you have done for me and my family during our search for help for my son and getting him on the road to recovery. I would like to tell my story so that others in a similar position will know that they are not alone and that there is help out there.

When the suspicions about my son using drugs surfaced, my immediate thought was, “not my son!” I had him drug tested on three occasions – once at home with an over the counter test and twice in laboratories. All three tests were negative and, of course, he denied any drug use. Once money started disappearing from my purse, his sister’s piggy bank, and my rainy day fund, I knew there was a serious problem he was hiding. I had no idea where to even turn. I didn’t know anyone personally who had gone through a situation like this and felt at a loss about what to do. My daughter, who had been a friend of Rusty’s, told me she had just seen a tribute to him on the Internet – and a light bulb when off. I knew then that I needed to contact Intervention INK. In my initial conversations with Rick, he confirmed my worst fear that my son could really be an addict. I talked my son into attending a meeting at Intervention INK and I took the opportunity to attend the parents’ meeting.

After that meeting, Rick and I talked several times so I could collect all the information I needed on our options to get him the help he needed. Through these conversations, it became apparent that the best place to get him help was in an in-patient detox and rehab center. Rick, my son’s dad, and I talked about different facilities and agreed on Treatment Solutions of South Florida. It was very difficult for me to make the decision to send my baby so far away, but I knew that he had to be far from the temptations and triggers he faced here. Once again, Rick met with us and we decided that an intervention would be the best way to get him the help he needed. Rick had my daughter, my son’s father and me prepare two letters; the first a letter of love in which we told him how we felt and asked him to enter treatment. The second letter was one of consequences. It outlined what would happen if he chose not to enter treatment. It was a very difficult letter to write and one that I hoped I would not have to share with him. Rick contacted some others that knew my son – two young men who were recovering addicts and one non-using friend. They too prepared letters for him.

We had airline tickets ready for Rick and my son to leave immediately if he accepted treatment. We decided that it would be best for Rick to take him down instead on one of the family. We had every confidence in Rick. If there were any problems along the way or if my son changed his mind, he would be the best person to handle it. Fortunately for all of us, my son decided to take our gift of life and enter the treatment facility. This was July 10, 2007. My son has now been clean for almost nine months.

I believe Rick, Amy and Intervention INK are a key part of my son being alive today. Sending him to a facility so far away was difficult and expensive; however the facility worked with us on payment because it was not covered by our insurance. I looked at the cost in comparison to what my son’s life was worth. Was his life worth the cost of treatment or did I want to gamble that he’d get clean and stay clean in Toledo? I knew there is only one answer.

Rick handled the entire process in a professional manner – tough when he needed to be; but sensitive to our concerns. Amy holds the weekly parent/family meetings. I feel a real sense of community and support at these meeting. It is comforting to meet parents whose children have been clean for months and even years. It’s important to me to get updates on those young people who are currently in treatment. Just as important as getting support, I feel I can give support to the parents who are at the point I was nine months ago.

I keep Rick and Amy in my prayers. They have channeled the grief of their tragedy into a great asset for our community. I would strongly recommend Intervention INK to any family who is concerned about their son or daughter’s involvement with drugs and/or alcohol. I thank the Lord for them and the other members of the Intervention INK Community.

Sincerely,
Vicki B.