A generational passing of historic importance has begun in the addiction treatment field. A mass exodus of long-tenured leaders in public policy, private philanthropy, administration and management, clinical supervision, clinical services delivery, research, and education/training has begun and will peak in the next five to seven years. This cluster of exiting leaders is a function of demographics--a generation of young people who came into the field in the 1960s and 1970s, rose rapidly into leadership positions, and are now poised to leave en masse.

This exodus raises the question of how long-tenured leaders can disengage in ways that enhance the health of multiple ...