A recently introduced piece of legislation aims to hold accountable fraudulent substance abuse treatment programs and recovery centers. 

The Opioid Addiction Recovery Fraud Prevention Act of 2018 aims to empower the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general to bring enforcement actions to combat such scams.

Introduced by U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., the act would specifically:

  • Clarify and reaffirm the power of the FTC to hold accountable opioid treatment scams, including deceptive treatment claims and bogus products.
  • Provide the FTC additional tools, including civil penalties, to ensure bad actors face penalties and create strong deterrents to these unlawful practices.
  • Protect individuals with opioid use disorder and their families from harmful and misleading addiction treatment programs or products. 
  • Empower state attorneys general to enforce these provisions and provide additional law enforcement to focus on these fraudulent practices.


“It’s hard to believe that there are individuals and organizations out there contributing to the opioid epidemic by taking advantage of men and women seeking help for an addiction,” Capito said. “Unfortunately, these bad actors do exist, and we must do everything we can to hold them accountable. This bill is one way we can put an end to the fraudulent practices taking place across our country and provide help to those who are trying to chart a better path toward sobriety and a successful future.” 

Cortez Masto said that individuals taking brave steps to overcome addiction should not be met with fake recovery programs and harmful treatment scams.