America’s methadone maintenance system has become a multi-billion-dollar behemoth, fueled by taxpayer subsidies that keep people dependent on opioids rather than fostering genuine recovery. This article exposes how a privileged few profit while crucial community services—mental health care, physical therapy, and nutrition—go underfunded. It calls for redirecting resources into comprehensive support that addresses the root causes of addiction, challenging the deeply entrenched profit motives that dominate American healthcare.