Every day, 12 North Carolinians lose their lives to drug overdose — a heartbreaking reality that leaves families searching for answers and hope. More than 10% of our state’s residents struggle with substance use disorders, and families across North Carolina are desperate for real solutions. While reputable treatment can be a path to recovery, misleading promises and predatory practices too often obscure access to ethical, evidence-based care. That’s why, in partnership with key legislators and the state Department of Health and Human Services, the Addiction Professionals of North Carolina launched the NC Treatment Connection, a new statewide initiative to help North Carolinians find trusted, reputable, and effective treatment that is free from unethical practices close to home.
Through this campaign, we want every individual and family facing addiction to know that they are not alone and that compassionate, ethical help is available right here in North Carolina. By working with partners like the Alcohol/Drug Council of North Carolina, the NCDHHS, and local coalitions, this initiative provides individuals and families with the information they need to make informed, confident decisions about their recovery journey. The DHHS’s support for NC Treatment Connection reflects its recognition of a critical gap in the treatment landscape and its commitment to embolden providers like the Addiction Professionals of North Carolina to meet that need with integrity and transparency.
For too long, unethical treatment brokers have profited by exploiting people at their most vulnerable. Patient brokering, also known as body brokering, occurs when individuals are steered toward treatment facilities that offer financial kickbacks rather than legitimate care. Brokers target people in recovery, sometimes even pushing them toward relapse to cycle them through multiple facilities for profit. In extreme cases, brokers have been known to supply drugs to individuals in recovery, ensuring their continued dependence and repeated enrollment in treatment programs.
This practice does more than exploit; it endangers lives. It preys on people seeking help, disrupts the recovery process, and undermines legitimate treatment providers who are working to save lives. NC Treatment Connection fights back against these deceptive tactics by providing a reliable, transparent resource that helps people recognize red flags and connect with ethical, evidence-based treatment providers. This campaign was made possible thanks to state leaders who recognized the urgency of addressing these predatory practices. The North Carolina General Assembly — with champions like Rep. Timothy Reeder, Rep. Allen Chesser, and Sen. Jim Burgin — ensured that resources were available to launch NC Treatment Connection and strengthen protections for families seeking care.
NC Treatment Connection takes a stand against the confusion, misinformation, and exploitation that have plagued the treatment industry. This initiative will serve as a guide for individuals and families navigating the often-overwhelming world of substance use treatment. The ADCNC provider directory ensures that individuals can find licensed, reputable treatment centers, and this campaign will further educate the public through digital outreach, grassroots engagement, and community partnerships.
Beyond helping individuals find reputable treatment, this initiative also strengthens our communities and our economy. Substance use disorder costs North Carolina $6.8 billion annually, straining our health care, criminal justice, and social service systems. Investing in ethical, high-quality treatment strengthens communities by lowering crime; reducing emergency room visits; and helping people regain stability, employment, and independence. This vision aligns with legislative efforts such as the bipartisan passage of the STOP Addiction Fraud Ethics (SAFE) Act, spearheaded by Rep. Reeder, which underscores why initiatives like NC Treatment Connection are essential to protecting lives and safeguarding North Carolina’s future.
The effort to address addiction is not just about policies and programs, it’s about you, your loved ones, and every person who deserves a real chance at healing. It’s about ensuring that when someone reaches out for help, they find real solutions, not empty promises. It’s about protecting families, strengthening communities, and giving people a real chance at recovery.
Those in search of legitimate treatment options in our state can visit NC Treatment Connection at www.nctreatmentconnection.com today and take the first step toward real addiction recovery with ethical, evidence-based treatment providers.