I Need Strangers to Help Me Save My Son’s Life
Hi, my name is Laura Sanchez. I’m a licensed addiction counselor/mental health therapist with 22 years in recovery, and more importantly—I’m a Mom. Right now, I’m fighting to save my just turned 18-year-old son’s life, and I’m asking for your help (Alan turned 18 ten days ago).
Alan has battled unimaginable odds since I adopted him when he was just 18 months old. He was born exposed to multiple substances and at 18 months he came to me with many scars-both from physical abuse and emotional neglect. He started out nonverbal but quickly learns to say “Mama” and sing You Are My Sunshine”. He was terrified of loud noises, mirrors, and crowds. He’s grown up with autism, learning challenges, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, and now—like so many vulnerable young people—he’s being swallowed whole by addiction.
On Monday morning, I found my beautiful son unconscious in his room, his skin cold and clammy. I gave him a dose of Narcan that I’d kept tucked away—just in case. Paramedics arrived and gave him another dose. I thank God he survived, but I am still very afraid for his life. If he doesn’t get high-quality treatment now, I may not get another chance to save him. He has been hospitalized for a few days to a few weeks at least 12 times, the first time being when he was eight. He has had stretches of joy and wellness in between. He has an incredible singing voice, could easily wire a new house, and he is fascinated by computer, physics, and Apple products . Treatment in Arizona has been disjointed, cold, and dehumanizing. Some well-intentioned people have tried to help my son, but they battle an extreme lack of resources, frighteningly low staffing ratios, lack of financial resources, and overwhelming caseloads. There has been so much fraud in Arizona’s substance abuse “treatment centers” that over 200 such fraudulent entities were shuttered by the health department between 2023 and 2025. Almost 400 (many Native Americans) have died as these places enticed desperate people to get into white vans (by promising “rehab” and waving hundred-dollar bills). These places provided no real treatment, often drugged the clients with fentanyl and other drugs, all while defrauding AHCCCS out of many billions of dollars. They billed extensively for people who had passed away or who were incarcerated. Many hundreds more are “missing” in connection with these places. It seems some ringleaders came from Rwanda, committed these atrocities, and laundered the money through their “church.”
I called the one absolutely excellent and model treatment center that I know called Our Home Of Unity in Phoenix to get help for my son, but they unfortunately do not take my son’s insurance. The owner, who is a friend of mine, told me that these fraudulent people are still involved in Arizona’s treatment centers and opening up new places in the present time.
For all of these reasons and to get away from the people, places, and things that have been harmful to him, I have decided to leave Arizona. I’ve found a dual diagnosis residential program in Oregon that is ready to take him—a place that can treat both his mental health and his addiction. I believe this program, which has extremely high reviews, could change the course of his life. He is motivated to get this level of help for himself. His insurance will cover the program 100 percent as we met the deductible with his emergency room trip and hospitalization at Sonora Behavioral Health where he is now. I’ve accepted a job in a small town near Portland as a crisis therapist so I can be nearby and support his recovery.
I came to the conclusion that I can’t do this alone! I am asking that people who don’t even know us step up to be our generous “friends and family,” as real friends have been few and far between for both Alan and me (not from lack of very strong effort). I have never asked for this kind of help in my entire life, and if it were only for myself I probably wouldn’t ask for assistance. I am, however, fierce Mom bear who will do anything for my one and only child. As we say to each other “I love him bunches and bunches-so very many bunches”.
Why I’m Asking for Help
Our family is small (2 people), and we’ve lost so much. My mom died after a 10 year battle with stage four breast cancer. My once loving father chose to cut ties with me in favor of a new family that he married into.
I’ve raised Alan mostly on my own since he was six. Our support system has faded over the years—I’ve lost two of my closest friends. One to suicide. The other to a heart attack. Alan’s disengaged adoptive father has no interest in helping.
As my rural Georgian mother used to say when we paired off to go somewhere, “it’s just us chickens.” Today, I’m reaching out to you—because I need to feel some care and love for my son (and myself). I’ve tried to solve this problem for years on my own. I’m not powerful enough to do it by myself.
What Your Help Will Cover:
• Gas, food, and a modest hotel while driving 1600 miles to Oregon.
• Affordable safe tires and an oil change (our 2022 Mazda SUV Madeline (that’s her name lol) won’t survive the trip without these).
• Living expenses while I wait for my first couple of paychecks (there is a chance my future employer may help someone with this as well-no guarantees though).
• Dog and cat boarding for 14 nights: $750. Alan cannot live without his dog Zoe Ray (our German Shepherd) and his Calico cat Saphera. Unfortunately there are three cats total-I never planned on moving.
TOTAL $3390
How You Can Help
Please consider making a donation—no amount is too small. Every $5, every share, every prayer brings us closer to safety and healing. Your kindness could be the reason my son gets a second chance. If you are unable to contribute, please share this with others as many as you can…
From one parent, one human, to another—thank you for reading, for caring, and for being part of this rescue mission. Alan deserves it!!!!
With love and hope,
Laura
