Is the Government Reverting Back to Old Addiction Treatment Methods?

Is the Government Reverting Back to Old Addiction Treatment Methods?

The disease of alcohol addiction started to really be acknowledged by the American public in the late 1950’s and then in the 1960’s drug addiction started to become more evident. During this time individuals were treated for the drug addiction and alcohol abuse through the means of hospitals, mental institutions, religion, and short term residential programs. Unfortunately these methods of recovery proved to be ineffective as most would experience a relapse shortly after their treatment was complete. Eventually addiction treatment programs became organized well thought out plans including aftercare plans that would send patients to halfway houses and outpatient programs while strongly encouraging participation in twelve step programs. The belief is that the longer a person in the early stages of recovery from addiction can stay in some sort of structured environment where they have to hold themselves accountable to someone else the better chance that they have at avoiding relapse. Addiction treatment centers are now catering to each individual client giving them treatment plans and aftercare plans to meet their specific needs giving them the best chance at recovery. For whatever reason the federal government seems to be leaning towards reverting back to old treatment methodologies that were not nearly as effective as addiction treatment is today. Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly (ADAW) states that the center for Medicaid and Medicaid service is recommending that outpatient treatment becomes more readily available. They do not mention the need for the more effective long term residential treatment. Alcohol abuse and drug addiction is a very serious disease that needs serious help. Reverting back to old treatment methods that were not as effective as new ones does not make sense. If it is an issue with money, maybe the government needs to think of it similarly to shopping. Sometimes it is less expensive to just buy the final product as opposed to buying cheaper versions of the same product that are likely to break after using for a short period of time.