⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ~ 4 stars

(Thank you to NetGalley for the pre-release copy).

Told in 14 chapters, ‘Fighting the Florida Shuffle’ is a harrowing account of the exploitation of so many, sewn together with heart-breaking anecdotes. This book is pertinent in raising awareness for the heinous crimes and corruption of pharmaceutical companies and all of those complicit in the Florida shuffle model, both in Florida and worldwide.

Admittedly, this book felt slightly disjointed, with the focus shifting every chapter or so. Terminology wise, some of the extracts about the pharmaceutical company were hard to follow, but I put this down to the writers maybe not simplifying this enough.

Overall, this book is thought-provoking and a crucial read. It shifts the blame and stigma off of victims and onto the system of crime and exploitation.

To quote one of the final pages, “may Jenna’s murder be solved” and may everyone impacted by the industry finally regain some sense of justice.




- Review published on Goodreads

Really informative and I liked the real life stories added in as well. I think that highlights an ongoing opioid addiction problem and many people can relate to this world wide and not just in Florida.

Book Review: Fighting the Florida Shuffle: The Inside Story of Corruption in the Drug Treatment Industry and How One Community Found the Solution
By Dave Aronberg & David R. Campbell

Note, I am a public health professional and involved with policymaking, so these experiences may influence my review.

Fighting the Florida Shuffle is both a searing exposé and a beacon of hope. Aronberg and Campbell meticulously dissect the predatory underbelly of Florida’s drug treatment industry—where profit-driven “rehab mills” exploit addiction for financial gain—while spotlighting actionable solutions that emerged from grassroots advocacy. This book is essential reading for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and anyone invested in ethical addiction treatment reform.

Thank you to NetGalley and Indigo River Publishing for providing an advance review copy. The authors’ dual perspective as a prosecutor and journalist lends the narrative both legal authority and human urgency, making it stand out in addiction literature.

Key Strengths:

Unflinching Investigation:
The book’s examination of the “Florida Shuffle”—a cycle where patients are shuffled between fraudulent treatment centers for insurance profits—is both shocking and meticulously documented. The authors reveal how these schemes often lead to tragic consequences.

Solutions-Oriented Approach:
The most impactful sections outline concrete solutions, including stricter regulations, ethical treatment models, and practical guidance for identifying legitimate centers. These chapters transform outrage into actionable change.

Human-Centered Narrative:
By amplifying voices of survivors, families, and whistleblowers, the authors turn policy discussion into a moral imperative. Their account of Palm Beach County’s reform efforts demonstrates how local action can inspire national change.

Areas for Further Exploration:
While focused on Florida, comparisons to other states’ struggles with rehab fraud could broaden the book’s impact. Additionally, more discussion of harm reduction strategies could complement the abstinence-based solutions presented.

Personal Reflection:
As someone deeply concerned about ethical healthcare, I found the guidance on selecting treatment centers particularly valuable. The authors’ list of questions for vetting facilities—examining accreditation, avoiding kickback schemes, and prioritizing individualized care—should be essential reading for families navigating this difficult system.

Thoughts about the book:
-A damning exposé that also lights the path to reform—this book reveals rehab industry corruption and how to fight it.
-The Florida Shuffle isn’t just fraud; it’s deadly. Aronberg and Campbell show how communities can take back control.
-Required reading for policymakers: Proof that systemic corruption can be overcome through local action.
-Addiction treatment should heal, not exploit. This book teaches how to spot scams and demand ethical care.

Final Verdict:
A powerful blend of investigative journalism and public service. Fighting the Florida Shuffle doesn’t just diagnose a broken system—it provides the tools to fix it.

Fighting the Florida Shuffle is an essential look into the corruption of the addiction treatment industry. The authors shed light on a system that too often rewards relapse. This is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand how the opioid crisis has been worsened not just by Big Pharma, but by those claiming to offer the cure.