An Open Letter to the Treatment Industry

To My Colleagues in the Recovery and Treatment Community Worldwide,

Whether we have had the privilege to work together or are unknowingly partners in arms waging war against addiction, I ask for just a few moments of your time today – and hopefully more as you consider my missive in the weeks to come.

I address you as the leader of Pathways Recovery Centers and a person in long-term recovery. Both have equal bearing on the pressure that I – and surely you also – feel at this critical juncture in our society. Patterns of substance use have continued to evolve (or, rather, devolve) into unfathomable depths. Can we truly say that our approach to care and clinical practice has evolved at equal pace? Innovation and improvement in our field are not just beneficial, like fairy dust on the programs we put forth. Rather, they are essential values and goals for our industry, so that we may improve dynamically, with the ultimate aim of continually enhancing the services we offer. It is our collective responsibility.

Our commitment to outstanding care must transcend rhetoric and manifest as tangible, decisive actions. At Pathways Recovery Centers, we have spent the past few years embracing change and innovation at every level: implementing AI-based clinical software, exploring VR/AR in advanced trauma treatment modalities, and integrating the Internet of Things with wearable biometrics. All of these mark significant strides towards revolutionizing client care, and we are proud to lead the charge for technological and methodological advancements in our field that will adapt to client needs.

However, advancement in technology and methodologies alone isn’t sufficient. We still see far too many people slip through the cracks and must look further for ways to help them.

Organizational health is an often-overlooked area where we can innovate – and improve our outcomes. For example, our entire organization is dedicated to fostering a supportive, empowering work environment. We understand that the strength and well-being of our team are directly proportional to the quality of care we provide to our clients. A healthy, collaborative, and innovative organizational culture is the bedrock upon which superior client care is built.

Tactically, this takes shape in many ways. Training, mentoring, transparent communications – all of these are just as important as traditional culture-building activities.

While we forge ahead with these positive changes, however, we must look at the darker side of progress: those whose desire for greater efficiencies and/or profit have led them to unethical and unforgivable behavior. The era of “bad actors” is not over, and it is crucial that we continue to confront and denounce unethical practices within our industry – unequivocally.

To those engaging in exploitative practices like “body brokering,” hear this clearly: Your actions are a blight on our profession. Such practices are not only unethical; but also, they perilously undermine the health and safety of the very individuals we are committed to serving. We must all take a firm stance against these practices. The stakes are too high, and the cost of inaction is measured in human lives. The message is unambiguous: Reform and align with ethical standards or be held accountable.

We must also remain vigilant for new and dangerous actors, methodologies, or services that may emerge over time. For example, recent years have seen a rise in irresponsible Medication-Assisted Treatment clinics. These clinics, which provide MAT indefinitely without the requisite clinical counseling, or irresponsibly prescribe MAT drugs to individuals struggling with non-opiate substances, are failing in their fundamental duty. Such organizations undermine the true purpose of MAT; but also, they deny our clients the comprehensive recovery process that they deserve. It is vital that we advocate for responsible, holistic treatment approaches that honor the true intention of MAT: to aid, not impede, the journey to recovery.

Let’s change the narrative from merely filling beds and caseloads to genuinely guiding individuals towards healing and recovery. Let’s focus on innovation and improvement instead of just the bottom line. Every decision we make in our organizations surely makes an impact on our revenue; but more importantly, it can mean the difference between life and death. It's time to prioritize real, heartfelt recovery over mere numbers – because lives depend on the choices we make. Let's act with compassion and responsibility, keeping the true well-being of those we serve at the heart of our work.

To all the good actors and real healers in our field, I thank you. I call upon you to not only privately decry – but also publicly denounce – the unethical practices within our industry. We must stand united in aggressively defending our profession and safeguarding the integrity of our care. This bold action is imperative to protect and nurture our most vulnerable clients, those still suffering and relying on us for their recovery journey. Let our collective voice be a beacon of integrity and a shield against those who would compromise the sanctity of our work.

This letter is not just a call to action; it's a plea for urgency and a commitment to excellence in our field. Together, we can elevate our industry, ensuring that recovery and treatment services are not only effective and innovative but also ethically sound and client centered. Let us unite in our mission to offer exceptional care, realizing that our collective efforts can shape a future where the standard of care is unparalleled, paving the way for those on their journey to recovery.

Our path ahead is clear: Innovate, improve, and uphold the highest ethical standards. Let's work together to ensure that the future of substance abuse treatment is defined by excellence, compassion, and unwavering commitment to our clients. If I can help you in that fight, I’m here to do so.

Sincerely,

Drew LaBoon

Director of Operations, Pathways Recovery Centers