Final answer:
A physician not part of a narcotic treatment program can administer narcotics to an addicted individual for up to 72 hours under the Controlled Substances Act's "Three-Day Rule" to alleviate acute withdrawal symptoms while the patient awaits entry into a treatment program.
Step-by-step explanation:
A physician who is not part of a narcotic treatment program may administer narcotic drugs to an individual who is addicted for a period necessary to relieve acute withdrawal symptoms while arrangements are made for referral for treatment. The Controlled Substances Act allows for this activity for up to three days (72 hours). During this period, the aim is to temporarily maintain the patient until they can be enrolled in a proper program. This provision is commonly known as the "Three-Day Rule" and is strictly regulated to ensure that administration is only done to bridge the gap to treatment, not as a means of circumventing the regulations around narcotic addiction treatment.