Feb 07 2025 53 mins 3
Episode 142: RMA, RFK and the San Patrignano Experiment
In this episode of Recovery in the Middle Ages, we take a look at Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s plan to address addiction in America, which leans heavily on his personal recovery experience and the model of Italy’s San Patrignano rehab center. Kennedy’s proposal centers around creating “wellness farms” across rural America, where people struggling with addiction can live and work in therapeutic communities, focusing on organic farming and communal living as an alternative to incarceration. This approach is inspired by San Patrignano’s long-term, work-based rehab program, which has seen success for those who stick with it. But there’s a lot of pushback, as critics point out the lack of medically assisted treatment and the potential for coercive practices, which have plagued San Patrignano in the past. Kennedy’s skepticism toward pharmaceutical treatments like methadone and his promotion of alternative therapies like cannabis and psychedelics are also raising eyebrows, with many worried that his approach could undermine evidence-based practices that have proven effective in addiction treatment.
Recovery in the News:
A study on fruit flies has identified that acetylcholine, a brain signal integral to memory and motivation, plays a crucial role in alcohol-induced sleep disturbances.
A recent survey indicates that nearly half of Americans, particularly younger generations, plan to reduce their alcohol consumption in 2025, driven by health concerns and the rising popularity of non-alcoholic alternatives.
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