from our patients

My daughter was addicted to Heroine. My wife and i went through years of Hell with her. So many nights of very little sleep, not knowing where she was. She stole from us, lied and said or did anything to get money for more drugs. Until you experience as a parent what we went through, you have no idea how bad it can get. We sometimes would get her to go into detox, usually after she was so exhausted from living that life. It wasn’t long after detox she was right back into it. We finally reached out and after many different detox centers and rehab’s throughout the country she ended up in Fla. This is where her life started to change slowly. Forrest Vinson was the out reach coordinator at Eden in Delray Fla. He wasn’t easy on her and definitely reached out to us when there were any issues. He cared about our daughter and held her accountable with her actions. We remember her getting so mad at Forrest at times but he was doing his job. He always called to let us know how she was doing good or bad. Forrest cared about these young people but he did not cut them any slack. We never gave up on her but Forrest was God sent. When i met him i instantly knew something was gonna be different this time. It didn’t happen right away but the very last time we came to Fla to help her get into detox, Forrest told us we needed to take her car. We listened and parked it at his house. No vehicle available to leave detox. It made sense to me. It was the last time we had to go anywhere to rescue her from herself. We had some friends with similar issues with there son. We gave them Forrest’s number. Please believe me when i say there’s help available. My daughter was at her worst and we had tried everything. When we met Forrest it was like getting a life line. Believe me he is someone who cares about people who are addicted to drugs and need help. He helped save my daughters life and my wife and I will forever be grateful to Forrest. Thank you Forrest for being there for my wife and I and mainly for my daughter.

Ervin R

I moved back to Arkansas over a year ago from Florida and while being in Florida for four years or so I went to many rehabs and detox facilities because the truth was I didn’t think I had a reason so I just kept using and I liked it even though it was more of a chore than fun after so many years. When I first got 90 days I went to a iop facility and I met Forrest Vinson, who helps self and my family with finding a way to get sober and stay sober. The hardest part was probably being in a relationship with someone and we met each other sober and then it came to a point where I knew that if I wanted to stay that way, then we could not be together. So over 3 1/2 years ago I made that choice and even on my worst days, I have no more reservations or excuses to go back and live that type of life again. My dad being so far away really liked that he could call or text Forrest at any time about me or my situation because no matter what they didn’t give up on me. The last time they came up with a plan and my dad actually drove down to Florida and parked my car at forrest’s house, so that way I could not get my keys or there was no way for me to get into my car if I even wanted to leave the Detox this time. That was the last time I ever went to detox. I had already spent adolescent years in boarding schools, graduated early from high school and started college and then quickly excelled to living for heroin intravenously. Within two years and only at the age of 19, I was sentenced to prison for four years and three weeks to the door with no good time because of a drug robbery. In a split second my whole life changed, and when I got out when I was 24 years old it was harder to get a job again and things weren’t as easy and I gave up very quick, which is why my parole officer sent me to Florida to begin with at the end of 2017 and I had to be narcanned four times.. so after different attempts, and sometimes wanting to, and sometimes not sure or meeting different people that made me want to use at that time in the beginning, it took about a year and a half for me to finally understand that this was a decision that I wanted to make, and I didn’t know how on my own. I believe people come into your life for a reason and doors are shut for a reason and I am forever grateful that Forrest, just like my parents, never gave up on me, and even though it took many times, I finally did it. The craziest part was I was scared to go in to Detox because I did not want to go through withdrawals, yet it was in my body so long for those eight months of doing it four times a day that I couldn’t take the medication that they needed to give me to help with the withdrawals for over five days while I was there. So I ended up with just some help as far as making it a little bit better, but knowing that, my parents knew I was safe and they were in constant contact with Forest so they were less stressed. I knew that it was all gonna be OK and it was. I have been told “no” so many time after my charges and prison, and through recovery and staying “in the middle” I was able to find out about jobs like Forrest and I take meetings into our local jail for the their drug program and I volunteer for the animal shelter here because dogs are my muse and also I just applied for academy school to do something I can turn into my own business and things finally fell into place. I didn’t need a man to help me get there. I didn’t need drugs to help me through the hard times. All I needed was a God I believe in and pray to and my family and supportive people in my circle and one of them is Forrest. So thank you for helping me and being there for my family and guiding them along with the process and even checking in month to month to make sure things are well, I know any person I meet that is struggling, I immediately give them Forrest’a number because I know he can get them help! Even here in Arkansas I’ve tried to help at least 6 people and they don’t always call but the first person to come to my head is always Forrest if someone needs help or even if I needed it again one day, I know who I would reach out too. Thank you for everything Forrest!

Gina R

I am so fortunate to have known Forrest over the past several years. He was there for my son at his worst and saved his life. He was able to convince him to get help and was amazing in how he dealt with this extremely challenging situation. I never saw such dedication and genuine caring for an individual struggling with addiction. He was always there 24/7 willing to help during this crisis and has the knowledge and expertise in this area. Not only did he help my son with a critical intervention in getting him to agree to go to rehab, but he helped me cope with the stress and anxiety in this dire situation. Forrest was so kind, patient, and dependable. My son adores him and my whole family has the utmost respect for him as he was there for all of us. Forrest will always have a special place in our hearts.

Val W