Today the Addiction Reporter discusses “wet houses” which highlight a disturbing reality of alcoholism: it is a fatal disease for many who are unable to recovery.

The “wet house” is a new approach that some states are adopting to deal with long-term problem drinkers.  Alcoholics are given shelter and basic services, but instead of entering a treatment program they are allowed to keep drinking.  They are essentially being warehoused until they die from acute alcoholism.

This controversial approach has been tried in Seattle, Washington and throughout the state of Minnesota.  The wet house approach saves these states money, costing about $13,000 to $18,000 per resident for annual support compared to the higher cost of housing chronic alcoholics in jail, hospitals or county detox centers.…