SXSW Doc ‘Shuffle’ Reveals How Rehab Facilties Prey on Addicts for the Sake of Profit

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Benjamin Flaherty spent three years creating the documentary “Shuffle,” which chronicles the struggles of three individuals battling addiction as they navigate rehabilitation centers that are fraudulently exploiting insurance companies. Flaherty exposes a sinister scheme where patients are traded for their insurance coverage, trapping them in a system intentionally designed to keep them unwell. With assistance from an FBI informant, an insurance expert, and a former manager of a Philadelphia-based treatment center, the filmmaker exposes corruption at the highest echelons of government.

Flaherty, drawing upon his own experience of overcoming addiction, exposes in an 82-minute documentary the complex interplay between public policy and self-interested groups exploiting vulnerable individuals for financial gain.

He states, ‘I had just a few months of sobriety under my belt when I came across a tale about individuals being enticed into sober living facilities for their insurance benefits.’ At the time, I myself resided in such a facility. The thought that the very treatment that was preserving my life was taking it away from others left me bewildered. Consequently, I decided to investigate personally.’

Flaherty produced the doc with Carra Greenberg, Harris Fishman and Scott Paskoff.

EbMaster spoke with Flaherty about “Shuffle” ahead of the film’s SXSW screening on Wednesday.

Were there any worries regarding your abstinence while working on this task, considering that you resided in a sober living facility then?

Flaherty: Perhaps not as much as it could have been. Witnessing others progress during my treatment was an enchanting aspect of my journey and served as a significant catalyst for this film. I hadn’t anticipated the difficulty in observing people remain ill. Regardless of location, I attended a meeting every day during production. The only way I know to stay grounded is by sitting in a room with others who grapple with similar challenges as me and discussing our experiences.

Did you encounter any difficulty in locating individuals who were in the process of overcoming addiction and willing to contribute to this documentary?

Most individuals entangled in the “Shuffle” typically meet an unfortunate fate, either death or imprisonment, making it difficult to locate interviewees for this subject due to very tangible reasons. People residing in rehabilitation centers often have limited contact with the outside world. In certain cases, I encountered individuals who seemed overly enthusiastic about sharing their experiences, which raised concerns about authenticity. The desire for attention and recognition felt contrived in these instances. Sincerity was my benchmark. I sought out anyone ready to be truthful with me. Numerous interviews were conducted, and a handful of these individuals were observed over an extended period. The selection of the three primary characters was based on narrative considerations and which collection of stories would most effectively portray the central issues.

Were there any worries about filming individuals currently battling addiction struggles on camera?

Indeed. The challenge lies in narrating their experiences without adding to their suffering. We empower these individuals by enabling them to share their own stories. Rather than speaking for them, we give them the platform to speak for themselves. No crew was ever present during filming; it was always a direct, one-on-one interaction. “Shuffle” is a movie that we’ve collaborated on with our characters, not one about them.

In the movie, it’s pointed out that “Money isn’t a solution to the issue; it’s the issue itself.” However, isn’t it true that rehabilitation centers for addictions require funding – which is money?

Absolutely, and the issue lies not with the money itself, but rather the manner in which it flows. Financial incentives don’t foster recovery; they promote extended treatment, as that’s where the profits lie. Recovery, in this profit-driven system, unfortunately, signifies a loss of business, a loss of profit – a fundamental contradiction. Many mistakenly believe that money can solve complex problems like this, but it only does so if used prudently. Otherwise, it exacerbates the situation, much like pouring gasoline on a fire. However, it is possible to find excellent care in a for-profit system, as I have and so have millions of others. The key lies in knowing what to seek.

Most of “Shuffle” focuses on drug rehabilitation centers in Florida. Does it seem like the addiction treatment system is entirely flawed, not only in Florida but also in other states?

I don’t think the treatment system is fundamentally flawed, but it can be exploited. In my opinion, the treatment system serves its intended purpose, which is to generate profit. The U.S.’s addiction treatment policy is essentially an economic response to a public health emergency, aiming to create financial incentives and a market for services. It has been extremely effective in this regard; there are more treatment centers in the U.S. than McDonald’s restaurants. However, recovery often takes a back seat to these financial objectives, being considered merely a “reasonably expected outcome.” Annually, untreated addiction costs the federal government over a trillion dollars across three sectors: healthcare, law enforcement, and the court/prison system. By treating addiction, I mean offering services within a structured framework, the government saves billions. Simultaneously, these services offer significant financial opportunities in the private sector. Consequently, the government saves money while private companies make profits, regardless of whether individuals achieve sobriety because the financial incentives are not linked to positive outcomes.

Are Trump’s new budget cuts helping or hurting addiction treatment?

Reducing resources and support for services will undoubtedly harm many individuals, and such actions should be carried out with caution. Regrettably, an overwhelming majority (90%) of those requiring treatment in our nation currently remain without access to it.

What are your hopes for this doc when it comes to distribution?

Addiction has become as much a part of our American culture as apple pie, but we still don’t discuss it enough due to the deep-rooted shame and stigma associated with it. I would be thrilled if as many people as possible could watch this film, sparking conversations about this important topic. We are considering a small theater release along with distribution on a streaming platform. Let’s bring this out into the open together!

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2025-03-12 21:47