The Business Of Addiction- The truth about upstate New York's treatment of addicts.

The practice of addiction treatment facilities in the Watertown New York area, of "cutting short" the treatment of addicts, at precisely the same time as their insurance runs out, is reprehensible and detrimental to the well being of the patient. Taking into account the financial aspects of this issue, it is the careless and irresponsible manner by which this takes place, that is most disturbing.

In Watertown, New York, there is a pervasive practice of manipulating addicts while they are most vulnerable. There is the common instances of coercing those with manageable addiction issues, into entering unnecessarily into in-patient treatment facilities.

Then there is the "get even" attitudes of some addiction professionals. For instance, if the person seeking treatment should have the audacity to retain independent thought, and wish to take part in structuring his or her own treatment; they are treated as though they are incapable of co-managing their own care.

While being presented with an attitude that is both callus and arrogant. According to OASAS, NIDA, and the International Center for Advancement in Addiction Treatment, (all of which are the foremost authorities on Addiction) The single most decisive factor in creating a comprehensive recovery program that is successful and permanent, is essentially empowering the patients in their own healing process. However, it seems that in our region, some addiction professionals are more concerned with being right, not having their authority challenged, and filling the beds of in-patient treatment facilities. They have struck up a symbiotic relationship with these facilities,with the goal of "hording" patients and their Medicaid insurance payments. Instead of treating the patient with dignity and respect, they are treated as a means of cash flow.

Regardless of the well being of the patient, they are coerced into treatment solely for the collection of Medicaid funds. This practice ignores the welfare of the patient and focuses only on the extrication of dollar amounts from the Medicaid program. This is happening everyday at the Samaritan Behavioral Health out-patient care facility on outer Washington street in Watertown. There is a sense of indifference toward the concerns and input from patients. There is an attitude of superiority, where every addict is looked at as unintelligent yet manipulative.

There is also the intolerance of independent thought. If a patient has his or her own beliefs concerning spirituality, the disease model of addiction, or the manner in which he or she would like to address their issues. They are treated with distain not only by staff but by other patients at the goading of staff.

I have personally been told by staff, "if you do not find god then you will never stay clean." This of course is the opinion of a single staff member and not the entire program. However, this demonstrates the lack of respect for independent beliefs, and the audacity of staff. This is a problem that needs the attention of someone who can enforce state policy. And see through the staging of administration.

By Joey Spencer
The Weekly Stash
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