Why Addiction Treatment is a Disaster--Maia Szalavitz

Persephone In Exile's picture
Submitted by Persephone In Exile on Sun, 07/08/2012 - 21:26

Forums:

Anyone who has been through rehab or any other type of addiction treatment in America knows that it is radically different from any other sort of medical care. Now, a groundbreaking new report from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University confirms the woeful details. Titled “Addiction Medicine: Closing the Gap Between Science and Practice,” the study is scathing in its condemnation: addiction treatment is a “non-system” that the medical profession has almost entirely neglected, leaving it to a patchwork of treatment programs, including many that offer unproven therapies, untrained staff, little medical supervision and less accountability.

“Some [programs] promise ‘one time’ fixes; others offer posh residential treatment at astronomical prices with little evidence justifying the cost,” the report concludes. “Even for those who do have insurance coverage or can pay out of pocket, there are no outcome data reflecting the quality of treatment providers so that patients can make informed decisions.”

Advocates have long argued that addiction is a disease (a brain disease, according to neuroscientists), but we sure don’t treat it like one. Unlike with virtually any other medical condition, there is no accepted national standard of care. Some 90% of programs involve the use of 12-step programs—endorsing meeting, confession, humility and prayer as key parts of recovery—and these types of recommendations are, shall we say, rare in other mainstream medicine.

In fact, the main qualification for providing care is having suffered from addiction oneself. While there are many wonderful people in recovery who do great work helping others, there are also plenty who are complete disasters......

Read the rest at:
http://www.thefix.com/content/CASA-report-addiction-treatment-failure8399

Gunthar2000's picture

Gunthar2000

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 15:38

stats of success?

AA is a religious cult dressed up to look like a treatment for alcoholism.

Gunthar2000

http://www.expaa.org/

becket's picture

becket

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 16:25

"nothing wrong with listing a few other methods and let them read about it. That's what it's about, choice...."

Feigned innocence is ugly. No one on this site merely lists a few other methods and allows people to investigate them. This is a forum built on rage and hate. There is absolutely nothing unbiased about it. Those who do not hate AA are called morons, dopes, idiots, fucking idiots, assholes, you name it. What's benign about that?

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

DeConstructor's picture

DeConstructor

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 16:46

although usually when I comment to your scrawlings you change the subject and run away like a crying little girl.

But I digress.

Yes, there are some of us -I am one- who wants to do everything in my power to destroy the AA faith and its profitable business arm, the recovery industry cartel. They kill so many people, that they should more rightfully be called the American holocaust.

Calinda (not verified)

Tue, 07/10/2012 - 15:18

becket, you can add crying little girl to the list. If DeCon could figure out a way to get out in front of his anger issues, his points would be worth reading. So far all I read is the ranting of a reactionary troll.

avogadno's picture

avogadno

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 19:47

No, I disagree. This forum isn't built on "rage and hate", but in a way it thrives on it. Becket, your presence, as well as some of the other trolls or AA apoligists, don't allow for any compassion or empathatic discussion. This which we are all capable of and would likely want to participate in. It's long since that it could be found here, cuz we have learned that with any attempt there "you" will be, needling away at us mockingly.

Pro Empowerment!
Truth about AA: http://orange-papers.org/menu1.html
Expose AA: http://www.expaa.org/

Persephone In Exile's picture

Persephone In Exile

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 19:57

Avo, I agree. The rage and hate is much more sustained in the people who keep accusing the majority of us of having these qualities. For some reason, the term "narcissistic rage" keeps coming to mind.

http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/

avogadno's picture

avogadno

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 21:33

Hateful words that are expressed toward the AA that comes here is usually a result of their invited it by offering crude remarks first. I'd love to discuss the attributes of AA will a participant that is willing to not throw the first personal punch. I've noticed this happens from a result of their inability to argue some of the more irrefutable facts that shine light on AA faults.

Pro Empowerment!
Truth about AA: http://orange-papers.org/menu1.html
Expose AA: http://www.expaa.org/

DeConstructor's picture

DeConstructor

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 21:47

They are forced to use nasty personal remarks because they do not have supporting facts. Fortunately readers are able to easily see this.

Calinda (not verified)

Tue, 07/10/2012 - 15:40

Avocagno,
You just go on and keep telling yourself this. We will just keep on reading what you write. They don't match up.

flannigan

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 09:13

Not all people who have high blood pressure can be cured by diet. There are numeous causes as to this disorder and numerous treatments/combinations of treatments which have differing rates of success. If cutting out red meat, dairy products, and sugar eliminated your high blood pressure, consider yourself fortunate. Not all will response to this regimen as successfully as you did.

First-Things-First (not verified)

Tue, 07/10/2012 - 23:00

Clara's picture

Clara

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 09:53

Or cholesterol. Some people's bodies just make it, so all the efforts are futile. I know a woman that has extraordinarily high figures despite very proper diet and 2 hours of daily exercise.

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

Ironic's picture

Ironic

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 10:07

Yeah, if you are a fatass that eats like shit, that can cause high blood pressure. Fixing the things that make you a shit-eating fatass could certainly fix the high blood pressure.

Most intelligent people know this. Medication is for people who can't fix it alone.

Clara's picture

Clara

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 10:18

I think he said he fixed his eating habits and the net result helped his blood pressure. I know people where diet won't help their situations. My friend is a vegetarian, and you think that would have helped with her blood lipids, but it doesn't. Her levels are the same as they were before she took this stance.

But this also sounds like a recovery thing. If something is making you drink or contributing to it, why not fix it?

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

Persephone In Exile's picture

Persephone In Exile

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 11:01

Plenty of vegetarians still eat tons of crap.

I know of a woman who spends all of her time sniping at people on a web forum using examples of people she also possibly knows. Does that prove a point, too?

http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/

Clara's picture

Clara

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 11:20

Sure does. It proves things to her because she has real life examples to go on. In her case, what is traditionally viewed as a way to eat that can improve blood lipid levels didn't, yet it probably works very well for others. It continues to support my belief not to throw something out or to dismiss it simply because it didn't work for one.

I asked her once if she would go back to eating meat because her reason for giving it up was health related. She said no because it works with her politically. Goes to show there is a gift in everything for some.

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

Persephone In Exile's picture

Persephone In Exile

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 11:28

It proves only an over-reliance on anecdotal evidence.

http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/

Clara's picture

Clara

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 12:45

Perhaps you should tell her that. She knows her levels and lifestyle. The fact is that a vegetarian eating style that provides health benefits for many others didn't provide the same for her.

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

First-Things-First (not verified)

Tue, 07/10/2012 - 23:00

Clara's picture

Clara

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 12:46

Of course it is, but she doesn't eat that way.

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

avogadno's picture

avogadno

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 21:28

Yeah, that's true. I've met quite a few myself. My decision to give up meat wasn't for health reasons, but as result I became more healthy. It's been a while now but I personally have been eating less crap as a result. I didn't think of why until now, but it must be that when I cut out all meat I sought out healthy ways to add protein to my diet. With those came good foods and I dropped a bunch of weight. This was one of my goals too but it wasn't what I anticipated would occur only because of no meat. Fruit became my staple meals. Breakfast lunch and dinner. Protein bars that included needed fiber. Dairy products along with the fruit.

Oh, and because I stopped the meat I didn't eat at fast food restaurants anymore. That shed a lot of crap from my diet.

Pro Empowerment!
Truth about AA: http://orange-papers.org/menu1.html
Expose AA: http://www.expaa.org/

becket's picture

becket

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 11:42

You beg for compassion in your posts about yourself, and you go out of your way to deny compassion in posts about others. I hope you find the willingness to turn this around or your life will end up one bitter cesspool, Ironic.

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

Gunthar2000's picture

Gunthar2000

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 11:53

They lay a huge guilt trip on you and try to make you doubt yourself.

Don't fall for it.

AA is a religious cult dressed up to look like a treatment for alcoholism.

Gunthar2000

http://www.expaa.org/

Persephone In Exile's picture

Persephone In Exile

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 11:57

Well, you do have to "break people down to build them back up", right? Pardon me while I go get sick....

http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/

becket's picture

becket

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 13:49

You're paranoid, Gunthar20.

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

Ironic's picture

Ironic

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 14:12

Don't worry. She can call me bitter all she wants, but at the end of the day, I love talking to all of you for support. She is here by her own admission only to ruin this support system and upset people. I know which one of us is truly the bitter one. It must take a lot of anger to hang out on a website with people you dislike all day every day.

Clara's picture

Clara

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 14:15

I like a number of these people and have found them to be quietly supportive despite our differences.

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

Ironic's picture

Ironic

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 14:18

That's pretty interesting. I don't think you even need a whole hand to count those people.

Clara's picture

Clara

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 14:31

It wouldn't take TWO hands to count regular posters here, Ironic.

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

First-Things-First (not verified)

Tue, 07/10/2012 - 23:01

Ironic's picture

Ironic

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 14:17

I'm lololing from a stationary bike at the gym as we speak. Most important thing one can do for themselves is work out, IMO. Healthy body, healthy mind. I also notice that it decreases my cravings, unlike sitting in a cult meeting with a bunch of fat, angry, sober people killing themselves with tobacco.

Persephone In Exile's picture

Persephone In Exile

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 14:19

Ironic, I find the same thing. No way better to build yourself up, either! Besides, humans really weren't made to just sit around for most of their waking hours.

http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/

Clara's picture

Clara

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 14:29

As they say, "move a muscle, change a thought." Thank you for concurring that one can blog AND do other things as well.

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

Ironic's picture

Ironic

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 20:19

One can blog and do other things as well if one's higher power has blessed them with a smart phone :)

First-Things-First (not verified)

Tue, 07/10/2012 - 23:01

Persephone In Exile's picture

Persephone In Exile

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 16:11

Wow FTF, that was uncalled for.

http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/

First-Things-First (not verified)

Tue, 07/10/2012 - 23:02

Persephone In Exile's picture

Persephone In Exile

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 19:15

"Dead on" isn't really the opposite of "uncalled for"....just so you know.

http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/

Ironic's picture

Ironic

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 20:18

I take what cult members say about my dirty head with a grain of salt.

Probably just an old bat envious of my youth, eh? Perhaps even jealous of my authentic junkie war stories ;) the sick faks

P.S. New troll thinks I'm a "he," so it's also not very observant.

Persephone In Exile's picture

Persephone In Exile

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 21:27

Ironic, yes, it's best to save up those grains of salt with these folks. I find you need quite a few of them!

http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/

becket's picture

becket

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 16:15

Everyone in AA is fat? Everyone in AA is angry? Everyone in AA is killing himself with tobacco? That's a bit of an overgeneralization, wouldn't you say? The only thing about your post that amuses is that it reads like you contend that everyone in AA is sober. We all know that's not quite right.

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

DeConstructor's picture

DeConstructor

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 20:03

but sometimes it is the crap in the food.

Twinkies might be bad for you, but I would worry more about the embalming fluids they use to preserve them. To make matters worse, who knows what crap they use in fast food places as preservatives, colorants, and flavor enhancemnet. People simply do not have the time and resources to do the whole organic and cooking thing.

Orange's picture

Orange

Wed, 07/11/2012 - 19:19

Ah, great find, thanks. Anything by Maia Szalavitz is good.

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