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Transparency in Addiction Treatment

transparency in addiction treatment

The ongoing issues of ethical and quality treatment within the addiction treatment field are no secret anymore. Media stories like the report on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and the numerous stories covering the terrible escapes of Kenny Chapman in South Florida are just some of the high-level, well-known ones but throughout the country, unethical, immoral and illegal practices continue to thrive without necessary government or law enforcement oversight or a media spotlight. While many addiction treatment centers offer high quality, evidence-based treatment in a responsible, ethical manner, many others continue to operate under a cloud of darkness, unethically, immorally and sometimes even illegally. Patient brokering, urine scams, insurance fraud, and just overall shoddy care continue to occur and individuals suffering from addiction and family members seeking help in crisis for a loved one continue to get taken advantage of while many within the industry charged to help those in need continue to profit off and exploit a vulnerable, stigmatized population.

There is no one answer, single solution, or overall cure-all for what ails the addiction treatment field. Many people have opinions but just like addiction, the issues within the addiction treatment field are complex and confusing, the solutions are not often black and white and often even those within the industry have differing or opposing opinions on what potential solutions are or should look like. There is no quick fix or easy answer. There is, however, one overarching theme that needs to take hold within the field to better the options and the choices given to those individuals, families, and communities as they seek help through the field of addiction treatment: Transparency.

The need for transparency within addiction treatment is greater than ever. This includes transparency within the industry between organizations and professionals as well as the transparency from the industry towards the consumer. Millions of people never receive the treatment they desperately need and many more are overwhelmed and confused when seeking help. More individuals and families lack necessary trust in the addiction treatment field due to being duped by facilities, patient brokered or due to being admitted into a clinically inappropriate facility and then left to fend for themselves once the treatment center couldn’t adequately treat the patient’s clinical issues. It is vital that we as an industry understand and begin to act within the principle of transparency as an industry, a business, and a clinical provider. For too long the industry has operated outside the scope and oversight of other health care fields and the growing opioid crisis and addiction epidemic has allowed further substandard practices to continue since communities and local governments frantically search for answers to dying constituents, broken families, ravaged communities, a faltering workforce and rising crime.

Initially, it’s important to understand some of the practices and issues that continue to occur in the addiction treatment space that correctly have people questioning the legitimacy, effectiveness, ethical compass and overall practices of the field. Here are just some of the more blatant and egregious issues:

These are just some of the more egregious offenses that take place within the addiction treatment field. Although there is no way to completely get rid of bad actors in the field and not one black and white solution, there are already some ways that individuals, families and consumers can try to vet programs. Obviously, first and foremost a program should be licensed by the state it is located within to operate and treat patients. However, there are some additional ways.

Transparency is key when it comes to addiction treatment and it is the responsibility of addiction treatment providers to demand transparency of ourselves, our programs and each other. It is a responsibility of addiction treatment providers to make sure that those seeking help are given honest, appropriate options when seeking help in a crisis. It is the responsibility of addiction treatment providers to be transparent with those seeking help if they cannot help or are not the appropriate fit and then work with those seeking treatment to find them the appropriate help that would best fit their needs. Operating in the shadows allows for more unethical, illegal and immoral practices and it is the responsibility of those good actors in the addiction treatment space to demand transparency of ourselves and of each other to support a field where those seeking help for themselves or a loved one can trust they will not be preyed upon or taken advantage of and rather find the life-saving, life-enriching addiction treatment they desperately need.

If you or someone you know needs help for addiction or dual diagnosis issues, please give us a call. Maryland Addiction Recovery Center offers the most comprehensive dual diagnosis addiction treatment in the Mid-Atlantic area. If we aren’t the best fit for you or your loved one, we will take the necessary time to work with you to find a treatment center or provider that better fits your needs. Please give us a call at (410) 773-0500 or email our team at Contact us today. For more information on all of our drug addiction, alcohol addiction and co-occurring disorder services and recovery resources, please visit our website at www.marylandaddictionrecovery.com.

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