Author name: Gil Cintron, LMSW

Articles

From Treatment to Punishment—and the System We’re Left With

Addiction policy in the United States did not develop in a straight line. It shifted—often dramatically—between treatment and punishment. In New York, early efforts to address addiction through structured treatment were introduced through initiatives such as the Narcotic Addiction Control Commission. These efforts reflected an understanding of addiction as a condition requiring intervention. However, this […]

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Aging In Recovery, Articles, Social Work

Implications for Practice, Policy, and Lifespan Recovery Support

This is a hypothetical case for educational purposes, developed by Gil Cintron, LMSW She entered recovery at 22. At the time, no one used the phrase long-term recovery. The goal was simpler, more immediate: stop using, stabilize, survive. She had been living on the margins—selling sex to support her addiction, moving between unstable housing situations,

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Aging In Recovery

A Drug Is a Drug: in Long-Term Recovery

The principle that “a drug is a drug” reflects a foundational concept within recovery frameworks, emphasizing that addiction is a disease process independent of specific substances. While this perspective supports unified approaches to recovery, it does not account for the distinct physiological effects associated with different substances over time. As increasing numbers of individuals enter

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Aging In Recovery

Aging in Recovery The System Gap Hiding in Plain Sight

A growing number of individuals are entering older adulthood after decades of sustained recovery. Yet the systems designed to support aging populations were never built with this group in mind. Aging services focus on physical decline, chronic illness, and functional support. Behavioral health systems, by contrast, tend to focus on early recovery and treatment. What

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Aging In Recovery

Challenging Misconceptions About Individuals Living in Long-Term Recovery

Recovery is far more common and diverse than public perception often suggests. Individuals in recovery are parents, professionals, neighbors, and community members who contribute meaningfully across all sectors of society. They are educators, healthcare workers, business owners, and public servants—each embodying resilience and personal growth. Yet stigma and misinformation continue to shape how the public

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Aging In Recovery

Aging in Recovery: Why Fellowship Still Matters

As the population ages, a hidden group continues to grow—people aging in long-term recovery. For decades, many relied on fellowship for stability. Mutual aid programs, such as 12-step fellowships and other self-help groups, provide structure, accountability, and connection. These supports help people maintain long-term recovery. Aging changes that. Health issues limit mobility. Transportation becomes harder.

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