RFK Jr lauds Italy's addiction treatment. Can it work here?

San Patrignano, a sprawling addiction treatment community in Italy's countryside, draws praise from U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as a model for addressing America's addiction crisis, where 50 million people struggle with drugs or alcohol, most receive no treatment, and half of those who do relapse within a year. NPR's Deborah Becker visited the 700-acre campus to examine its approach, contrasting it with typical U.S. programs limited by insurance to about 28 days of inpatient care.

Challenges in U.S. Addiction Treatment

U.S. treatment often follows a short detox and residential phase with psychotherapy and 12-step meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous, which RFK Jr. credits for his own recovery from a 14-year heroin addiction. Recovery researcher John Kelly from Mass General explains that relapse risk remains elevated for five years post-remission, as brains need extended rewiring. After 28 days, many return to old environments; sober housing costs $1,500-$2,000 monthly, uncovered by insurance, and relies heavily on peer-led AA meetings emphasizing surrender, self-reflection, spiritual growth, and group connections.