“The Gold Standard” and Related Considerations for a Maturing Science of Substance Abuse Treatment. Therapeutic Communities; A Case in Point

The randomized control trial (RCT) is commonly celebrated as the "Gold Standard" of research designs. However, such evidentiary distinctions contain serious implications for the scientific acceptance, funding, and public perception of various treatments for substance abuse. This issue and related considerations are briefly discussed from the perspective of therapeutic community treatment and research.