An intimate look inside the billion-dollar addiction treatment industry where young people are bought and sold for their insurance policies and ushered into a system designed to keep them sick. SAFE Project partnered with The Shuffle to spotlight this important film and highlight the need for accessible resources to help people get the treatment they need.
About the Film
The Shuffle is a film about the process by which clients are cycled through a rinse-and-repeat style of addiction ‘treatment’ for maximum profit. It’s insurance fraud and can generate up to one million dollars a year per person in insurance reimbursements. From the outside, it may look no different than legitimate treatment.
Watch the Trailer
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Explained
Regardless of which medication is prescribed, the focus remains the same. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, getting the patient to feel normal, have little to no side effects or withdrawal symptoms, and have controlled cravings for opioids is the main objective. This approach supports recovery by allowing individuals to focus on healing, rebuilding their lives, and engaging fully in treatment and daily activities.
About the Director
Benjamin Flaherty is a filmmaker and photographer with a diverse collection of work over the past 15 years – from documentary and art films with Lou Reed and Julian Schnabel to commercial spots for major brands like Humana and KFC. His short-form PSA’s have been awarded at Cannes, D&AD, One Show, and the Clios. His debut feature documentary Shuffle won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2025 SXSW Film & TV Festival.
Lessons Learned
What To Do If You Witness an Overdose
The Truth About Harm Reduction
What is Person-First Language?
What is Relapse/ Reoccurrence? (Hint: It’s Not A Failure)