“For the most part,” says Dr. Waite-O’Brien, “women have to ask someone for money before they can come in for treatment.”

       She adds: “It’s a sad – but true – fact: when money gets tight, many women have a tough time getting treatment. And right now, money is tight.”

       And what do the experts tell women alcoholics/addicts who need treatment but fear they can’t afford it, especially when times are tough?

       “It’s important to point out,” says Dr. Johanna O’Flaherty, the current Vice President, Treatment Services, at the Betty Ford Center, “that every woman who calls here for help gets a referral. If they can’t afford to come here for 30 to 90 days, we may suggest our Intensive Outpatient Program, which costs far less than our inpatient programs. Outpatient treatment [five nights a week, for eight consecutive weeks] is still absolutely first-class, and it allows the woman alcoholic/addict to perhaps even work in the Coachella Valley and earn money while she’s working toward lifetime sobriety.”

       Dr. O’Flaherty adds, “We also refer hundreds of women every month to reputable treatment facilities that may be closer to where they live, and/or facilities where treatment costs less than it does at the Betty Ford Center.”

       Counselor Toni Tufo says she’s often very direct with women contemplating treatment who may be able – through various means, including using credit cards – to cobble together sufficient funds to come to the Center, but are wavering in making the commitment to treatment and sobriety.

       Tufo tells what she calls “the waverers” that a new car and a residential treatment program cost about the same. “What’s worth more, in the long term,” Tufo asks prospective patients. “A new, sober life of peace and joy for yourself, your family, your friends, plus keeping your job, if you have one? Or a car?

       “That pretty much puts it into perspective.”