ASU expert discusses long-term addiction recovery

In south Gilbert, Arizona, men recovering from drug addiction spend their days working with horses, farming and managing a fruit and vegetable stand as part of a unique two-year program aimed at giving addicts the life skills needed to have a productive and rewarding life.

ASU's Mike Shafer, a professor in the School of Social Work, has studied addiction and recovery programs for decades, and says the John Volken Academy – with locations in Vancouver, Seattle and Gilbert – is difficult to evaluate in terms of effectiveness due to a lack of evidence and good-outcome studies.

Director of the Center for Applied Behavior Health Policy in the College of Public Programs, Shafer suggests addiction treatment works best with professional counseling and appropriate medical care over a minimum of nine months of active treatment and care.

John Volken says there have been a few who left after a week, but most men graduate and remain sober. More importantly, these men have the work ethic and life skills to be productive members of society.

"The continuing-care piece is absolutely critical," Shafer told the Republic. "We have to help people address not only the short-term immediate issues of reducing and eliminating their dangerous use of alcohol and drugs, but we've also got to assist them in restoring their functioning within their home environment and their work environment as they continue to be sober."

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