The Gold Cure Institutes of Niagara Falls, New York, 1890s

The Gold Cure facilities are credited with developing an enlightened philosophy toward addiction that viewed it as a disease rather than a moral failing. They were a forerunner to Alcoholics Anonymous, as they eventually included support groups during and after treatment. Up to three times a day, patients were injected with the secret gold cure, afterward experiencing fear, painful muscle spasms, vomiting, choking, burning in the mouth, dizziness, loss of balance, and confusion. The extremely negative experience may have caused the patients to reconsider their bad habits. Proponents of these methods claimed to cure liquor, opium, morphine, other drug addictions, the tobacco habit, and nerve exhaustion.