Comments on: Triggers and Tarzana

By: Murder Time

Murder Time — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 07:08:33 +0000

I know you don’t endorse violence but I think its murder time for Mr. Del and the sadistic cunts at TTC. Peel their skin with a stiff wire brush. Let it scab over and repeat.

By: Sister Wolf

Sister Wolf — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 23:53:09 +0000

Vanessa Ray – I do take comfort in this, very much. Thank you so much for taking the time to write. Max’s birthday is coming up, so this is a timely message for me to keep in my heart. Congratulations on getting clean!!! xoxo

By: Vanessa Ray

Vanessa Ray — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 22:38:56 +0000

As a recovering addict {heroin was my drug of choice. However, I didn’t wake up one day and decide “You know what. I think I’ll do heroin”. As you are painfully aware, it’s a progression.}, this article moved me to write to you for the first time. I’ve been a reader for awhile. While in the throes of withdrawal, I’ve considered taking my own life. Reading your blog, and what the loss of your son has done, is the only thing, on a few occasions, that has brought me back from the edge. Rehab is a joke. I’ve been kicked out twice due to lack of funds {Seriously, who has $500 a day. Especially an addict!}. There needs to be change. I’ve said this for so long, but I’m at the point of where I feel I need to turn my words into actions.

Anyways, I do want you to know that I am so sorry for your loss. I’m also so sorry for how selfish this devil of a drug makes us. While you will always grieve the loss of your son, I do hope you can take some comfort in knowing that you have helped someone. I wish I could do more to show you how incredibly and profoundly grateful I am.

By: mimosa

mimosa — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 18:04:48 +0000

this is atrocious and horrible in all kinds of ways. But do be wary if you decide to head down the litigation route. I’m in the UK and have no idea how big an org this may be, but if they have money, they may likely throw it plentifully to make life as horrible and difficult for you as possible. I had a big problem with the NHS here several years ago and took on litigation on people’s advice, but in retrospect, the hurt, exasperation and heartache will take the shine off any response I may get. Considering how much trauma you have already been through, perhaps a petition or other ways of bringing this to public attention may be better.

lots of love to you anyway.

By: Maria

Maria — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 15:52:42 +0000

First off, I am so very sorry for your loss. I can’t even begin to imagine what you are going through. That said, this makes no sense what so ever to me. I have never heard of a treatment center making somebody leave for lack of payment–especially if you had blue cross. I was in St. Francis Hospital years ago for an anorexia. There was no exchange of money until after I left. And that was by way of the insurance company. I never had to pay out of pocket but I can not imagine somebody calling and demanding money throughout the treatment. The cost is usually tallied after the treatment not “oh your son needs meds today that he didn’t need yesterday so if you want him to have them then give us $500 more.” This just does not happen. Did you ever consider that this person was harassing you and taking your money for himself–like a little scam he had going?? I hope that by bringing this up I didn’t offend you or make you feel even worse than you do but something just doesn’t sit well with me with this exchange. I agree with Robin. Treatment centers and hospital programs that deal with addiction and depression and mental disease are all flawed–I feel. People who don’t have these issues will never understand what it feels like to be a person who does and to be a parent of somebody who does. I was an anorexic since 7th grade. I went to college and got a degree and in 1990 I realized that I needed help. I knew what I was doing to my body was wrong and was just tired of being sick and tired. I knew deep down that I could do this by myself. The problem I had however was that I was taking 30-60 laxitives a day. I didn’t want to not be in a hospital when I stopped taking them. So I checked myself in with the support of my family. It was a 30 day program. I lasted two weeks. Unbelievably I was ok physically. I struggled to change my way of thinking about myself and food over time. But what made me leave early was the ideas that the doctor’s and nurses had. The whole 12 step program did not work for me. I know this has nothing to do with what your son went through but what I want to get across is that I think the reason these treatment centers are flawed is because you can’t just treat everybody’s mental illness the same. There are too many variables in every single person. I am a scientist and work in a Head and Neck Cancer research lab and this same idea is the reason that I don’t think we will ever find a cure for cancer. But on the bright side, I think that if we can focus on finding certain similarities in individual people we can come up with a better way to live with cancer and mental illness. I am so sorry about the rambling.

By: helen waite

helen waite — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 23:33:29 +0000

Sorry – I missed that others had asked the same question

By: helen waite

helen waite — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 23:30:11 +0000

Is there any chance you could scare up phone bills that show incoming calls from his number?

By: Sister Wolf

Sister Wolf — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 07:48:22 +0000

Robin – Please write to me at sisterwolf666@gmail.com. I’m sorry to hear about this and I hope your son is okay. Let’s see what we can do.

By: Robin

Robin — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 06:15:20 +0000

Tarzana Treatment Center is a horrible place. They took my son in (after I paid over $5,000 ) knowing he was dual diagnosis with psychosis. After 3 days they kicked him out saying he needed a “higher lever if care” and I did not get any of my money back! They said the $5000 covered his assessment! They gave us no referral and basically kicked him out onto the street. TTC is corrupt and I wish an investigative journalist would look into it!
So sorry about your son. Get a lawyer and file a lawsuit!

By: cat

cat — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 14:07:27 +0000

I have no words of advice for you, SW, just support and love. Anyone who tells you to “just move on” is a heartless cunt.