The ReHabilitation Center history

E.M. Jellinek promotes alcoholism as a disease (1960). E.M. Jellinek, a 1960s alcoholism researcher, published The Disease Concept of Alcoholism.2

Methadone introduced (1964). Vincent Dole, an endocrinologist, and Doctor Marie Nyswander, a psychiatrist, introduced methadone to treat narcotic addiction.

Since the hospital that would later be known as Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital began treating patients in 1970, the Spaulding commitment to excellence and innovation has remained a constant.

The FDA approved it to treat heroin addiction in 1972.2 Methadone is a slow-acting opioid agonist that prevents harsh opioid withdrawal symptoms.18

In 1973-74, a community-based demand for natural, non-pharmaceutical treatments for heroin and opioid addiction spurred the use of acupuncture in the clinic.

The rehab facilities was renamed the Federal Medical Center in 1975 when the federal government decentralized drug addiction treatment and was delivered to state governments.

It becomes known over time as Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital and is formally renamed in 1981.

In 1982, Ford co-founded the first Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, CA.22

1983Founded in 1983 as the North End Nursing Home, the North End Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is a 140-bed, not-for-profit skilled nursing facility that offers short- and long-term care for older adults.

American Medical Association calls all drug addictions diseases (1987). The AMA passed legislation identifying alcoholism as a complex disease that merited the serious concern of all members of the health professions.2

In 1994, The Boston Center proudly became a complete post-acute continuum care center catering to the needs of any age adult in need of interim care, rehabilitation or palliative care.

White, W. (2000). The history of recovered people as wounded healers: I. From native America to the rise of the modern alcoholism movement.

White, W. L. (2002). Addiction treatment in the United States: Early pioneers and institutions.

Unfortunately, as NPR covered in 2008, the Farm earned a reputation for experimenting with addicts, allowing them to "bank" morphine through good behavior and testing their reactions to other drugs.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) expands coverage for addiction treatment (2010). The ACA expanded MHPAEA’s criteria by making sure insurance plans offered through state health insurance marketplaces included behavioral health services, including substance abuse treatment.27

Spaulding and Berkeley Bionics incorporated this technology into our therapy program in 2012.

2013On April 27, 2013 Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital begins a new chapter with a new facility in the Charlestown Navy Yard.

“What are the Treatments for Heroin Addiction?” (November 2014). National Institute on Drug Abuse.

2017The Harvard Medical School Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital is honored as the top residency program in the US in the newest 2017/18 Doximity Residency Navigator.