New Book: "Inside Rehab" by Anne Fletcher

[BridgeTheGap]

Anne M. Fletcher’s new book, Inside Rehab—out this week—is a no-holds-barred report on addiction treatment in America today. Fletcher, who struggled in the past with her own drinking problem, got involved in the rehab field a decade ago after writing Sober for Good, a book about long-term recovery. While only a brief section of Sober for Good focused on treatment, Fletcher was “astounded” by the shortcomings she discovered.

About five years later, a massive amount of media coverage focused on hot-mess celebrities like Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan, as they bounced in and out of pricey rehabs, stirring up misconceptions about addiction treatment. “I said, someone needs to write a book about what really goes on in rehab,” Fletcher tells me. Turns out that someone was her.

Inside Rehab dives deep into the four years Fletcher spent visiting treatment programs all across the country, interviewing hundreds of treatment clients and staff. The book offers a unique perspective, both for rehab veterans and for those who have no idea what the experience is like. So Fletcher is highly qualified to talk about the biggest problems in the addiction-treatment industry, what to look for in a rehab, and what the ideal system should look like.

http://www.thefix.com/content/what-really-goes-on-inside-rehab00393

[NMDemDist2]

1. i saw this on another thread

'good reads' i think

have you read it? i was thinking of posting this up on Bertha's thread for her too

[BridgeTheGap]

2. I have not read it. I heard the author and several others

on the Diane Rehm show:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2013-02-11/inside-addiction-treatment

[get the red out]

3. I read about that book

On another online forum. It looks like it is well researched. I am very glad someone is looking into the treatment industry. It is a hodge-podge of pasta thrown against the wall to see what sticks (or not even care) IMO. A lot of treatment centers utilize virtually untrained staff, something I see a lot in my area.

[cally]

4. Here's a link to a report that I think some of this book is based upon

http://www.casacolumbia.org/templates/NewsRoom.aspx?articleid=678&zoneid=51

This is an academic report from Columbia University National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. I read some of it and reviewed the rest. I found it interesting and new stuff.

[NMDemDist2]

6. thanks for this n/t

[libodem]

5. Super interesting

I didn't care for the big for profit motive that seemed to drive much of the decision making. The resource utilization person always got busy at the end of the 30 day treatment, trying to mine the insurance company for another two weeks, for treatment for the underlying depression.

I found it to be quite the racket.

[Stuart G]

7. I didn't know I needed a treatment facility..???So..I didn't go. Instead..

I went to AA meetings each day, twice a day if necessary. most days..I went thru hell..I am not sure why I made it..was hooked on benzodiazapins ...quite an experience..indeed.I read recently that the leading cause of admintance to treatment facilities is xanax addiction..hard to believe............