Drug Treatment has Overdosed on Religion


We've all heard of the huge number of deaths from drug overdose. Probably few know of the back-story drama that is going on in search of a solution.

The traditional model for treatment of all drug use is some variation of the "12 step" program from Alcoholics Anonymous. This leans heavily on religion and the implication that too much alcohol or other drugs is sin. It requires an admission from the user that he or she will depend on a "higher power" to lead them out of their dependence.

In recent years, a new player was introduced to heroin users. It is a drug called methadone. This drug takes away the desire to use heroin, is inexpensive and safe when taken under professional supervision. The methadone is used sometimes for a few years. Experience has shown it has good long-term success when users are not rushed to go off of it.

The problem is, methadone is successful without a higher power. This, even though many patients go to Anonymous meetings and endorse the 12 Step including its religion component. Traditionalists in the field do not like methadone because, as a drug itself, it seems too much like the sin of the drug it replaces. Sometimes treatment facilities that change from exclusively 12 Step to prescribing methadone have internal drama. One such place is in the Bible Belt.

This facility near Nashville has a staff steeped in the 12 Step program. A new administrator with experience in methadone treatment insisted on introducing it to reduce the risk of death among patients. The story of reluctant drug councilors was reported in the New York Times.

Like so many other places in U.S. society, drug treatment has over-dosed on religion.

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