Unfortunately, criminals have taken advantage of the suffering of others. In the rehab industry, it is one of the lowest things a person or business can do. In the midst of the opioid epidemic, that’s exactly what’s been happening across the country. In fact, the U.S. government has recently taken steps to crack down on the practice.
An NBC News investigative report that ran last year uncovered abuse. It painted a picture of unscrupulous sober homes in Florida luring patients from across the country. These fake rehabs milked their clients for insurance money and receiving kickback from laboratories for hundreds of thousands of dollars of unnecessary tests.
The news report referred to the scheme as the “Florida Shuffle.” While it’s making some people very rich, it’s killing others.
In some cases, patients were even given money or drugs to keep them in the treatment program. This lured people to stay and allowed the rehabs to keep making money off of them.
As NBC News phrased it, “To Florida’s worst operators, relapse doesn’t mean failure. It means profits.”
Are Government Laws Changing?
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions blasted the unscrupulous treatment centers and laboratories. “They seem oblivious to the disastrous consequences of their greed,” he said. “Their actions not only enrich themselves at the expense of the taxpayer but also feed addictions and caused addictions to begin. The consequences are real. The emergency rooms, jail cells, futures lost, and graveyards are the results.”
Ever since this fraudulent behavior was exposed, 77 people in South Florida currently face federal charges. One former treatment operator, Kenneth Chapman, was sentenced to 27 years in prison after being found guilty to a conspiracy to commit health care fraud. He admitted he gave clients drugs and prostituting women in his program.
Finding a Reputable Treatment Program
With all that said, it’s still true that rehab changes lives. It’s just a matter of steering clear of the disreputable operators. Here’s a list of five things a credible rehab would never do.
Hope and Healing at The Raleigh House
The Raleigh House is a residential treatment center located in Denver where you can find the help you need to rebuild your life. Our team of experts works together to tackle both the physical and mental aspects of addiction. Fill out our form or contact us today to learn more about our drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs.
