Sixty-three years behind the times

Only three stops on a trip to LAX! Sign me up.

Only three stops on a trip to LAX! Sign me up.

Here is a great quote about the state of substance abuse treatment in America, lifted from a new book, Inside Rehab, by Anne Fletcher and broadcast in this post by NY Times health writer Jane Brodey. Despite substantial gains in learning what works in substance abuse treatment, most programs "use exactly the same kind of treatment you would have received in 1950," according to A. Thomas McLellan, co-founder of the Treatment Research Institute in Philadelphia.

Ready to board your flight to LA in a 1950 Douglas DC-3?

Ready to watch thebig game on a 1950 Philco 12" black and white?

Imagine if you were to seek medical care for a newly diagnosed cancer and were offered the treatment options of 63 years ago. Maybe your doc could offer you a cigarette while he explained your treatment. Wait. A doctor practicing from practice knowledge from 1950 would

n't offer you treatment options And evidently neither would a substance abuse counselor today. He would assume you would accept whatever outmoded treatment was offered.

 

 


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