- In December, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul unexpectedly vetoed a bipartisan bill that would have required judges to inform drug court participants of their right to choose nonreligious rehabilitation.
- Around two-thirds of American addiction treatment programs for alcohol and other drug disorders, including over 90 percent of residential treatment centers surveyed, use the 12 steps originated by Alcoholics Anonymous.
- Dozens of courts have ruled that 12-step programs are religious, making it unconstitutional to require participation.
- Research suggests that the active ingredient in 12-step programs' success is peer support, not the steps themselves.
- Narcotics Anonymous is philosophically opposed to the most effective medications for opioid addiction.
- We need to separate medical care and religion in treatment for addiction, as we do for every other health disorder.
People Have a Right to Nonreligious Rehab
All addiction treatment should be science-based.
By Maia Szalavitz
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