doi:10.7916/d8-abcf-0b85Oral history interview with Mitchell S. Rosenthal, 1981Rosenthal, Mitchell S., 1935-oral historiesmixed materialDrug addicts--United StatesDrug abuse--History--20th century.--United StatesDrug addicts--Rehabilitation--United StatesTherapeutic communitiesMethadone maintenance--History--20th century.--United StatesRosenthal, Mitchell S., 1935-Phoenix House (Organization)Oak Knoll Naval Hospital (Oakland, Calif.)In this interview, Mitchell Rosenthal discusses his life and career, primarily his founding of a residential drug rehabilitation program, Phoenix House, in 1967. Rosenthal explains how he was exposed to the Synanon treatment model while serving in the navy in the mid-1960s, and how it inspired him to make structural changes at the Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland, California while he served there as the staff psychiatrist. He discusses the founding of Phoenix House, and the economic conditions that facilitated the program's rapid expansion. He breaks down the budget of Phoenix House, and explains how the organization is funded. Rosenthal discusses trends in the demographics of patients, in terms of age, education level, and types of drugs used. He compares the methadone maintenance model to the therapeutic community model, and discusses popular criticisms of the therapeutic community model. He also compares Phoenix House to its peer facilities, such as Synanon, Daytop, and Odyssey House. Rosenthal describes his hopes for the future of therapeutic communities