The Disturbing Truth Behind Discount Drug Rehab Treatment

If you’ve ever looked into rehab for yourself or a loved one, I’m sure you’re familiar with the spiel that fills most of the brochures. I used to write that stuff and I can recite it by heart:

Fast, 28 day treatment programs that are covered by most insurance programs.

Convenient locations.

Inexpensive.

A paid celebrity endorsement or two.

These are centers run solely for profit, frequently with no intention of sticking around for the long term. I was the owner of three of these clinics and the emphasis was on making money; treatment was a product and the cheaper it was while still bringing in paying customers (also known as patients), the better. We did not invest in our programs, but budgeted the absolute minimum we could get away with. If a location did poorly, we closed it and moved on.

What you won’t see in pamphlets is the truth about what actually works. Start with the rapid turnaround. The fact of the matter is that effective drug rehab programs can last for anywhere from three to six months. Faster is only better for churning people out the door and then back in again when they relapse. Good for the bottom line, but pretty discouraging if you’re trying to kick an addiction.

There’s nothing wrong with a convenient location, but when convenience is the major selling point of the campus, you know that the equipment, staff and premises are probably second rate at best. A unit in a strip mall may cost less, but it’s no match for an expansive campus nestled in a relaxing country setting. Inexpensive is another warning sign. Cheap treatment is priced to lure the vulnerable in; but cheap can become expensive with multiple readmissions and corners are frequently cut to keep those prices low. Paid celebrity endorsements? Let’s not go there; it’s just advertising.