On December 16, we received that hardest phone call that parents could get.  Our daughter was stopped in Philadelphia for a trafic accident and admitted to the police she had taken heroin.  Her call came to us from jail and her words were “Daddy, please help me”.  We had no idea about any drugs in her life.

We traveled to Philadelphia and we knew we needed help fast.  Our pastor suggested that we call Alan from Penn Foundation.  We called Alan and he graciously set up an appointment for the following day.  Alan explained to us, step-by-step, the treatment program and how it worked.

Our daughter entered the in-patient treatment program at Penn Foundation Recovery Center and was assigned a counselor who helped her realize how the program could help her if she really wanted the help.  We had never experienced anything like this before.  Alan continued to check in with us as our daughter was in treatment.

We were introduced to the “Family Education Program” on Sundays at noon at Penn Foundation and other meetings so we could try to make sense of what happened.  Alan shared with us that this journey is a long one, that we would take 2 steps forward and 1 step back.  He told us we could call him with any questions, and we had many.

Today we are still in treatment, praying that the days will get better.

We wanted to take this opportunity to thank Penn Foundation and express out abundant thanks to Alan, who really cares and goes that extra mile.

Our son has learned so much from Penn Foundation and is really doing great.  I mean this from the bottom of my heart, I can’t begin to thank all of you enough. I truly believe that Dr. Newton is really helping. It’s as if our son had been in a deep sleep for four years and is finally waking up. Each and everyone of you has supported us in different ways through this unbelievably painful experience. You are an incredible group of professionals. The level of determination to discover a solution to help our son and our family heal is beyond belief. Thank you, thank you, thank you………Sincerely,Marianne

The Family Disease!!!!!!

It is hard for me to share my feelings on addiction because the pain and anger I feel is so strong.  Yet the more people I share it with, the easier it is to discuss and the better I feel about my life.  I thank god every day that I do not have an addiction to alcohol or drugs.  I am a 44 year old woman with 3 beautiful children.

I am one of six children.  Three of my siblings have struggled with addiction for the past 30+ years.  It is a miracle that my sister and brothers have been able to pull it off for so long.  It is disturbing to me that all those around me that know of the abuse refuse to address it or acknowledge it.  We have all accepted it as a way of life or just flat out denial!

Everyone at the Penn Foundation has been working very hard to help our son. Of course you know there is nothing more important to us.  You have been a great support to us and I thank you for it.  I had lost my hope until finding the Penn Foudation. The staff at your facility have shown a level of care and concern that to say the least is unbelievable.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! - Marianne

I visited my son for the first time since he was admitted to Penn. He seemed content, it was nice to see him calm and relaxed.

I know that it had been hard for him to keep up the addiction, the lies, and not looking us in the eye. I know that he has a long way to go but, I am always hopeful. I’m thankful for what the Penn Foundation has to offer.

My son had been in other rehabs and they do not compare to Penn. One rehab did not stop my son from leaving on a visitation day.  I knew that he had his mind made up, but they did nothing, and of course he continued to use drugs.