ABSTRACT
A wide range of treatment programs are available for addictive disorders: inpatient and outpatient; expensive and free; aimed at a single addiction, age group or even profession. For those of means there is a wide variety of choices, but for the indigent the choice is much more limited. Programs vary in location, emphasis, duration, and cost. In general, when assignment to treatment is completely random, outcome is more a function of the client’s perception that the program is suited to his or her needs than to the content of the program. Poor Richard’s adage, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink,” is highly pertinent to substance abuse therapy — the views of the abuser must be considered in selecting a program.
