@Hellion--the places you talk about where you can stay as long as needed to get help or more than the standard 28 or 30 day program, are usually private pay and very expensive. I know someone who went to a 90 day program minimum, it was $15,000 a month and insurance didn't pay for it. It would be good if insurances would pay for places like that, but insurance doesn't reimburse as much as cash money.

And as far as addicts needing medication, some people are self-medicating with drugs. They may struggle with depression or anxiety or bipolar disorder (as in the case of my friend). Their problems were treated with prescription medication as well as traditional rehab therapy. It is important to treat the root of the problem I think, wether that was a diagnosable psychaitric disorder or even coping with psychological issues such as past abuse.