A mother called me last week seeking help for her son. He was stranded in a Midwestern city at the end of a drug run.

“I called,” she told me, “to see if your program is for real.”

I assured her it was. Then I gave her details of how TLC operates on a basis of tough love and peer counseling.

She explained that her son had once been sober for a few years after spending time in a rehabilitation program, ultimately going to work there. However, after he left he eventually returned to his addictions.

She went on to explain that helping her son through his latest issues had caused her and husband serious financial difficulties. Because of this she said they couldn't continue to help him without jeopardizing their retirement. She was relieved when I confirmed we'd accept him without upfront money.

Her story illustrates the dilemma of some of the parents we’ve dealt with over the past 19 years. They love their children but in many cases are unable to continue to help them through their addictions. The cost of 30 day treatment is often $1,000 a day and more. And, the drain on the family's finances can be even more severe if the parents are supplementing an addiction.

When we finished talking she said she would make arrangements to purchase him a bus ticket to Arizona. I suggested she purchase a non-refundable ticket so her son couldn’t cash it in and buy drugs with the proceeds.

The son called me today prior to boarding the bus to Arizona to confirm we had a bed reserved for him.