Addressing Challenges: Highlights from LegitScript’s Second Addiction Treatment Advisory Committee Meeting

Last year, LegitScript relaunched its Addiction Treatment Certification Advisory Committee in an effort to strengthen avenues of communication and identify opportunities for optimizing the client journey. During the inaugural meeting, the committee engaged in robust dialogue on several pressing topics including patient acuteness and co-occurring disorders, challenges in specialized treatment, and technical advertising hurdles.

During the second, most recent meeting, the committee reconvened to address evolving challenges and opportunities in the addiction treatment space. The committee demonstrated its commitment to fostering a constructive dialogue—enhancing LegitScript’s Addiction Treatment Certification program by promoting ethical practices and collaborating across the sector.

Advisory Committee members include:

• LegitScript
• The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP)
• Cumberland Heights
• Rosecrance Recovery
• Inspire Recovery
• Warriors Healing Centers
• And Avery Lane

Certification Standard 15: Advertising Standards Effect Trust in the Industry

During the meeting, the discussion revisited Certification Standard 15 on advertising transparency. The relevant portion of this Standard for the LegitScript Addiction Treatment Certification is as follows.

“Applicants and certified clients must advertise transparently. This includes clearly identifying themselves in their advertisements, and not using third-party business names in advertisements.”

Advisory Committee members were keen on the evolving dynamics of the advertising space—including how enforcement of LegitScript’s Advertising Standard affects transparency and trust across the industry.

LegitScript Addresses Challenges in the Addiction Treatment Industry with Collaboration and Communication

Members highlighted consistent issues with non-certified and out-of-scope entities using misleading tactics to gain a competitive advantage. They also noted how ethical providers, and smaller or specialized treatment centers, sometimes face challenges when striving to maintain integrity in their practices.

Advertising Transparency and Standards

While LegitScript continues to monitor and evaluate compliance among certified clients, the discussion centered on the broader advertising ecosystem and its challenges. The committee provided feedback to LegitScript regarding potential enhancements to its Certification Standards that could help provide clarity surrounding the guidelines for compliant advertising.

Enhanced Monitoring and Compliance

LegitScript’s monitoring team continues to prioritize identifying non-transparent advertising practices, particularly those that might mislead consumers by misrepresenting business identities or services offered. The team will also continue to refine strategies to ensure that certified clients remain in compliance with Certification Standards.

Support for Specialized Treatment Providers

Smaller, specialized treatment centers often compete for visibility online and often face barriers to prospective patient outreach. The LegitScript team will explore potential refinements to its Certification Standards and processes to assist these providers.

Facilitated Discussion: Shifts in Treatment Models

Members discussed the impact of evolving treatment models, including hybrid, outpatient, and telemedicine services, on both marketing strategies and operational challenges within addiction treatment.

These changes underscore the need for adaptable business models and creative approaches to maintain visibility and effectively serve diverse patient needs within an increasingly competitive landscape.

Each Committee Meeting is an Opportunity to Launch Newer, More Helpful Initiatives

The first meeting primarily focused on transparency in the online ad space, challenges in reaching specialized communities, and the cost and value of certification. Since then, LegitScript has launched initiatives for Pride Month and National Recovery Month to help support organizations with the costs of Certification.

Open Up Opportunities to Reach More People in Need by Becoming LegitScript-certified

LegitScript’s Addiction Treatment Certification program is dedicated to supporting good actors in the industry so that they can effectively reach individuals in need of recovery. Build trust with consumers, demonstrate compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and unlock access to advertising when you become LegitScript-certified.

Create an account to start the application process.