Inside Rehab: Anne Fletcher's Eye-Opening Take on Addiction Treatment
There's not a correlation between what you pay and the quality of treatment...You might be better off to be a homeless heroin user seeking treatment in the lower east side of Manhattan than paying for a month of rehab in some of these places.
What really goes on behind the doors of addiction treatment centers? In this episode of Harm Reduction Radio - HAMS, host Kenneth Anderson sits down with Anne Fletcher, the author of 'Inside Rehab: The Surprising Truth About Addiction Treatment-and How to Get Help That Works'. Fletcher doesn’t hold back as she sheds light on the myriad issues plaguing traditional rehab programs.
She argues that many of these programs offer a cookie-cutter approach that fails to address individual needs, leaving many people without the help they truly need. Instead, Fletcher champions alternative methods like multidimensional family therapy and the Seven Challenges program, which focus on personalized, one-on-one treatment. She also takes a critical look at Alcoholics Anonymous, questioning its dogmatic practices and emphasizing the importance of finding therapists who specialize in addiction.
One of Fletcher’s key points is the mismatch between the cost of treatment and its quality. She notes that paying a premium for rehab doesn’t necessarily guarantee better outcomes and suggests that sometimes, even those with severe addiction issues might fare better with outpatient treatment. This approach allows individuals to confront their triggers in real-world settings while receiving ongoing support.
Fletcher also highlights the importance of individual therapy for those with co-occurring disorders and provides a checklist for determining whether residential treatment is necessary. Her insights are a wake-up call for anyone involved in or considering addiction treatment, urging a shift towards more tailored and effective care solutions. Tune in to hear her compelling arguments and discover why change is desperately needed in the addiction treatment industry.