As Google Moves to Limit Addiction Center Advertising, Reputable Clinics Continue to Provide Care
If you’ve used the internet recently, then you’ve probably noticed advertisements for addiction centers. These ads pop up on social media sites, search result pages and other areas of the web on a regular basis. In September 2017, however, data giant Google shifted its stance. After receiving complaints that some rehab centers fell short when it came to providing treatments that their patients needed, the company decided to halt the sale of addiction clinic ads until it could find a solution.
A Public Health Move
Advocates liked Google’s decision because it made a clear statement that companies shouldn’t profit at the expense of public well-being. Health groups have long decried the fact that some rehab clinics don’t adhere to any form of standards or certification. Law enforcement officials noted that some facilities even misled patients by capturing web searches related to their reputable competitors and redirecting them to other companies with less treatment experience.
Understanding the Background
Why is the world of online addiction center advertising so messy? Part of the problem is the general public’s lack of knowledge about what constitutes effective, medically sound addiction treatment. Since most people are unfamiliar with treatment standards, they have a hard time distinguishing scams from real solutions.
Google talked to experts and advocates to determine which strategy might be the best way to stop unsavory and fraudulent treatment providers from outbidding legitimate services. Until the company thinks of a better way to evaluate the validity of addiction centers that want to place ads, the entire category will simply remain forbidden.
What Effects Will Limiting Addiction Ads Have?
The intention of this change is to send less business to non-reputable addiction centers whose practices border on the negligent or criminal. However, it could also negative impact the playing field for valid services.
How Are Addiction Centers Responding?
The academic ideas, practical techniques and industry factors that drive substance abuse treatment are constantly evolving. At Ocean Hills Recovery, we’re committed to keeping up. We’ve spent almost a decade perfecting the skills that allow us to help addiction sufferers and their loved ones move forward.
We hope to set an example for other clinics that want to establish themselves as providers of real and successful long-term treatment. For instance, our devotion to bettering ourselves and the services that we provide has earned us accreditation from CARF[1]. Our organization also has an A+ rating with the BBB[2] based on the reviews and opinions of the real-world individuals and families we’ve helped.
Limiting addiction ads is a smart move for everyone, but it’s just a single part of the equation. Patients and their families must do their research to find answers that work for them. Even if a treatment is grounded in proven science, not every individual will respond to it the same way. It’s vital to find a rehab center that caters to its unique patients’ needs even as it adheres to the theoretical underpinnings of addiction and rehabilitation science.
Are you curious about the future of addiction treatment? Learn more about where it’s headed by subscribing to the blog or following us on social media. If you know someone who’s in need of assistance with overcoming addiction, get in touch with a counselor at Ocean Hills Recovery today.
Sources:
[1] http://www.carf.org/providerProfile.aspx?cid=247906
[2] https://www.bbb.org/sdoc/business-reviews/alcoholism-info-and-treatment-centers/ocean-hills-recovery-inc-in-san-juan-capistrano-ca-100078519
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