Why Addiction Treatment Keeps Failing

Psychology Today

by Anna B. David

February 13, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Addiction treatment in the U.S. has long been criticized for its failure to produce lasting recovery, often attributing relapse to individual weakness rather than systemic issues. Jimmie Applegate’s *Addicted to Failure* challenges this narrative by exposing how the current recovery system is designed to fail, using neuroscience and clinical experience to highlight its shortcomings. The book argues that treatment programs often prioritize short-term sobriety over true healing, with fixed timelines (like 30 or 90 days) ignoring the brain’s need for longer stabilization periods. This approach leaves many individuals discharged prematurely, still vulnerable to relapse and internalizing feelings of failure. One major issue Applegate identifies is the lack of trauma-informed care in treatment programs. Research shows that most people with substance use disorders have histories of childhood adversity or chronic stress, which often drive addiction as a coping mechanism. Traditional treatments focus on stopping substance use without addressing these underlying traumas, leaving individuals without healthy coping mechanisms and prone to relapse. From a psychological perspective, substances are not just sources of pleasure but tools for regulating dysregulated nervous systems shaped by prolonged threat. The book also critiques the authority bias within treatment culture, where patients are encouraged to comply with rigid protocols rather than engage in meaningful self-reflection or agency. This approach undermines autonomy and reinforces feelings of powerlessness—key factors that make sustained behavior change difficult. Applegate emphasizes the importance of patient-centered care, where individuals are active participants in their recovery rather than passive recipients of treatments. Finally, *Addicted to Failure* challenges the field’s reliance on one-size-fits-all models of addiction. By exploring how addiction is both a brain disease and a response to environmental factors like trauma, Applegate calls for more compassionate, flexible approaches to treatment. Understanding these dynamics can change how we view relapse and recovery, ultimately fostering better outcomes for individuals struggling with addiction. This critique matters deeply to readers interested in health and mental health because it exposes the limitations of conventional treatment methods and highlights the need for more holistic, trauma-informed care. By addressing systemic failures rather than individual shortcomings, the book offers a pathway toward more effective and empathetic approaches to addiction recovery.

Verticals

healthmental-health

Originally published on Psychology Today on 2/13/2026