What is Narconon?

Have you attended a Narconon program? Please consider doing the Narconon Survey here: http://reachingforthetippingpoint.net/narcononsurvey/

Are you considering going to Narconon? Before you decide, please read about the experiences of someone who's been there: My Narconon Story, by Sekh

Narconon is a controversial drug rehabilitation program based on the ideas of L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction writer and founder of the Church of Scientology. Many people believe that Narconon is simply a front group for Scientology with the purpose of making money and recruiting new members for Scientology. Although Narconon is recognized as a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization, it does charge for services.

Narconon’s ties to Scientology are not disclosed or readily available to its clients who are making a decision on treatment for drug addiction at a vulnerable time in their lives. Additionally, Narconon’s doctrines and organization are nearly identical to Scientology’s.

Narconon has an aggressive web presence and registers web sites with misleading names, which are presented as objective reviews of drug rehab centers but are actually used as advertisements for Narconon.

When many people hear the name "Narconon," they think it is another name for Narcotics Anonymous. It isn't.

• The Narcotics Anonymous (NA) website clearly shows that NA does not charge for services, does not provide residential facilities or clinics, does not provide vocational, legal, financial, psychiatric, or medical services, and is not affiliated with other organizations. Facts about NA can be found here: http://www.na.org/?ID=Home-basicinfo
  The Narcotics Anonymous (NA) website uses factual and informative language: http://www.na.org/, and most of their publications are available for free: http://www.na.org/?ID=ips-eng-index
• Narconon, on the other hand, uses a highly structured, one-size-fits-all program, which parallels the training sold to members of Scientology: http://www.narconon.org/drug-rehab/narconon-drug-rehabilitation-program.html
  The Narconon website uses emotionally charged, marketing-style language: http://www.narconon.org/. No publications are available for free: http://www.narconon.org/bookstore/.
• Find out more about the relationship between Narconon and Scientology here: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Narconon/nn-scn.htm
• Learn more about Narconon's web presence here (slow loading): http://detox-narconon.org/video/narcononwriters/narcononwriters.swf. If the Flash movie at the previous site doesn't work, there are screenshots from it here: http://forum.reachingforthetippingpoint.net/index.php/topic,368.msg2196.html#msg2196

What is wrong with Narconon?

Hubbard, who co-founded Narconon in 1966, had no medical qualifications and was ignorant of basic medical facts. Despite advances in research on treatment of alcoholism and substance abuse, the Narconon program remains unchanged. Narconon uses unproven techniques and potentially dangerous levels of vitamins far beyond those considered safe by the FDA. For instance, Narconon prescribes niacin in dosages reaching 5,000 mgs to their clients. The daily recommended intake by the FDA is 20 milligrams. When doses this high are given, serious side effects can occur. These side effects include liver problems, gout, stomach ulcers, loss of vision, high blood sugar, irregular heart rate and other problems. These side effects are particularly concerning for patients who may be more vulnerable to liver damage as a result of alcoholism or drug addiction.

• Learn more about L. Ron Hubbard's lack of qualifications here: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Narconon/science.htm
• There is a list of Narconon's unsafe practices, including a list of the vitamins and minerals used in the program, here: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Narconon/detox.htm
• The Food and Drug Administration's Recommended Daily Values can be found here: http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocuments/FoodLabelingNutrition/FoodLabelingGuide/ucm064928.htm
• An article from the Journal of the American Medical Association examines the effects of large doses of niacin on liver function: http://www.shipbrook.com/jeff/CoS/narconon/niacin.html

What about Narconon staff?

Former employees of the centers say that Narconon often employs former clients who have recently completed the program. This is a huge risk for newly recovering clients. It is not unusual for former alcoholics or addicts to enter the counseling field. However, this is usually after an established period of sobriety and formal training or certification as a substance abuse counselor has been completed. This is not the case at Narconon. In addition, Narconon of Georgia was recently cited for inappropriate monitoring of drug screens on clients and employees.

• What kind of training do Narconon staff members have? Where does the staff of Narconon come from? http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Narconon/staff.htm
• The Board of Mental Health of the State of Oklahoma investigated Narconon for certification as a drug and treatment facility in 1992 and found that Narconon hires former students (as clients are called) immediately upon graduation, as well as other alarming observations: http://www.shipbrook.com/jeff/CoS/narconon/osb1992.html
• An article from March 21, 2010, entitled "Intoxicated by Narconon" was published in a Canadian newspaper, "le Soleil." Here is the original article in French: http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-soleil/actualites/societe/201003/20/01-4262723-intoxique-par-leglise-de-scientologie.php. Here is an English translation: http://www.forum.exscn.net/showthread.php?t=17001.
• This testimony from a former staff member states that many Narconon graduates go on to work at the facility due to pressure from current staff: http://www.anti-scientologie.ch/narconon-testimony.htm
• Georgia Department of Human Resources Office of Regulatory Services Complaint Investigation for Narconon of Georgia, from the State of Georgia website: http://167.193.144.170:7001/ORSINV/PDFS_DRUGABUSE/DRUG002034D8RO11.pdf, or if not available there, from this site: http://www.reachingforthetippingpoint.net/NarcononOfGeorgia-ComplaintInvestigation-2009-06-17.pdf

Criminon Second Chance, and other Narconon affiliates

Criminon Second Chance is a prison-based version of Narconon that seeks public funding for the program. Criminon Second Chance was evicted from Alberqueue, New Mexico after breaking an agreement with the City. They were allowed to operate a facility in an old jail to house nonviolent male inmates with a history of substance abuse problems, but were found to be housing violent offenders and women inmates also. After being given a notice to comply with the agreement, they left secretively in the middle of the night with 19 inmates in an old bus, leaving their rent and utility bills unpaid. Scientology promotes this front organization without revealing the connection to Narconon or Scientology. Read more about Criminon Second Chance here: http://forum.reachingforthetippingpoint.net/index.php/page,Criminon.html

In order to avoid the bad reputation that is developing from public exposure of the Narconon program, some "Sauna Detox" programs are using names which do not include "Narconon", but use the same L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology techniques and course material for the program. For addictions that require it, some Narconon-affiliated programs use a medical detox procedure first, and then refer people on to a more standard Narconon-style sauna detox with Scientology-based coursework. Some of these include (but are not limited to) generic names like New Life and First Step, and Pur Detox; and more specific sounding names like Sunshine Summit Lodge, Huntington Harbor House, Novus Detox, and Suncoast Rehab Center.

Finding a good, legitimate rehab facility

If you are seeking a drug rehab facility, the most important thing you can do is to research the facility by name. Once you have narrowed down to a few that you are considering, check with the agency in the state or country that licenses drug rehab facilities about prior violations and license revocations for the specific facilities. Ask for specifics about the program - exactly what the program entails, how long it will last, who the program director is and what their qualifications are, who the medical director is, what the policy is with regard to employment of counselors and other staff members, and ask to tour the facility first before signing anything. Ask advice on some of the discussion forums that specialize in drug and alcohol rehab. Ask advice from people you know. The main thing you want to do is avoid being in a hurry and not thoroughly researching the facility you choose. There are good programs out there - they may just not be the first ones you find when you search the web.

Have questions, comments, or information?

Talk to us here: Narconon and related groups

Printable literature?

A trifold flyer with information about Narconon is available here: http://www.reachingforthetippingpoint.net/NarcononFlyer-2010-06-11.pdf

What is Narconon?

Have you attended a Narconon program? Please consider doing the Narconon Survey here: http://reachingforthetippingpoint.net/narcononsurvey/

Are you considering going to Narconon? Before you decide, please read about the experiences of someone who's been there: My Narconon Story, by Sekh

Narconon is a controversial drug rehabilitation program based on the ideas of L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction writer and founder of the Church of Scientology. Many people believe that Narconon is simply a front group for Scientology with the purpose of making money and recruiting new members for Scientology. Although Narconon is recognized as a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization, it does charge for services.

Narconon’s ties to Scientology are not disclosed or readily available to its clients who are making a decision on treatment for drug addiction at a vulnerable time in their lives. Additionally, Narconon’s doctrines and organization are nearly identical to Scientology’s.

Narconon has an aggressive web presence and registers web sites with misleading names, which are presented as objective reviews of drug rehab centers but are actually used as advertisements for Narconon.

When many people hear the name "Narconon," they think it is another name for Narcotics Anonymous. It isn't.

• The Narcotics Anonymous (NA) website clearly shows that NA does not charge for services, does not provide residential facilities or clinics, does not provide vocational, legal, financial, psychiatric, or medical services, and is not affiliated with other organizations. Facts about NA can be found here: http://www.na.org/?ID=Home-basicinfo
  The Narcotics Anonymous (NA) website uses factual and informative language: http://www.na.org/, and most of their publications are available for free: http://www.na.org/?ID=ips-eng-index
• Narconon, on the other hand, uses a highly structured, one-size-fits-all program, which parallels the training sold to members of Scientology: http://www.narconon.org/drug-rehab/narconon-drug-rehabilitation-program.html
  The Narconon website uses emotionally charged, marketing-style language: http://www.narconon.org/. No publications are available for free: http://www.narconon.org/bookstore/.
• Find out more about the relationship between Narconon and Scientology here: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Narconon/nn-scn.htm
• Learn more about Narconon's web presence here (slow loading): http://detox-narconon.org/video/narcononwriters/narcononwriters.swf. If the Flash movie at the previous site doesn't work, there are screenshots from it here: http://forum.reachingforthetippingpoint.net/index.php/topic,368.msg2196.html#msg2196

What is wrong with Narconon?

Hubbard, who co-founded Narconon in 1966, had no medical qualifications and was ignorant of basic medical facts. Despite advances in research on treatment of alcoholism and substance abuse, the Narconon program remains unchanged. Narconon uses unproven techniques and potentially dangerous levels of vitamins far beyond those considered safe by the FDA. For instance, Narconon prescribes niacin in dosages reaching 5,000 mgs to their clients. The daily recommended intake by the FDA is 20 milligrams. When doses this high are given, serious side effects can occur. These side effects include liver problems, gout, stomach ulcers, loss of vision, high blood sugar, irregular heart rate and other problems. These side effects are particularly concerning for patients who may be more vulnerable to liver damage as a result of alcoholism or drug addiction.

• Learn more about L. Ron Hubbard's lack of qualifications here: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Narconon/science.htm
• There is a list of Narconon's unsafe practices, including a list of the vitamins and minerals used in the program, here: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Narconon/detox.htm
• The Food and Drug Administration's Recommended Daily Values can be found here: http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocuments/FoodLabelingNutrition/FoodLabelingGuide/ucm064928.htm
• An article from the Journal of the American Medical Association examines the effects of large doses of niacin on liver function: http://www.shipbrook.com/jeff/CoS/narconon/niacin.html

What about Narconon staff?

Former employees of the centers say that Narconon often employs former clients who have recently completed the program. This is a huge risk for newly recovering clients. It is not unusual for former alcoholics or addicts to enter the counseling field. However, this is usually after an established period of sobriety and formal training or certification as a substance abuse counselor has been completed. This is not the case at Narconon. In addition, Narconon of Georgia was recently cited for inappropriate monitoring of drug screens on clients and employees.

• What kind of training do Narconon staff members have? Where does the staff of Narconon come from? http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Narconon/staff.htm
• The Board of Mental Health of the State of Oklahoma investigated Narconon for certification as a drug and treatment facility in 1992 and found that Narconon hires former students (as clients are called) immediately upon graduation, as well as other alarming observations: http://www.shipbrook.com/jeff/CoS/narconon/osb1992.html
• An article from March 21, 2010, entitled "Intoxicated by Narconon" was published in a Canadian newspaper, "le Soleil." Here is the original article in French: http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-soleil/actualites/societe/201003/20/01-4262723-intoxique-par-leglise-de-scientologie.php. Here is an English translation: http://www.forum.exscn.net/showthread.php?t=17001.
• This testimony from a former staff member states that many Narconon graduates go on to work at the facility due to pressure from current staff: http://www.anti-scientologie.ch/narconon-testimony.htm
• Georgia Department of Human Resources Office of Regulatory Services Complaint Investigation for Narconon of Georgia, from the State of Georgia website: http://167.193.144.170:7001/ORSINV/PDFS_DRUGABUSE/DRUG002034D8RO11.pdf, or if not available there, from this site: http://www.reachingforthetippingpoint.net/NarcononOfGeorgia-ComplaintInvestigation-2009-06-17.pdf

Criminon Second Chance, and other Narconon affiliates

Criminon Second Chance is a prison-based version of Narconon that seeks public funding for the program. Criminon Second Chance was evicted from Alberqueue, New Mexico after breaking an agreement with the City. They were allowed to operate a facility in an old jail to house nonviolent male inmates with a history of substance abuse problems, but were found to be housing violent offenders and women inmates also. After being given a notice to comply with the agreement, they left secretively in the middle of the night with 19 inmates in an old bus, leaving their rent and utility bills unpaid. Scientology promotes this front organization without revealing the connection to Narconon or Scientology. Read more about Criminon Second Chance here: http://forum.reachingforthetippingpoint.net/index.php/page,Criminon.html

In order to avoid the bad reputation that is developing from public exposure of the Narconon program, some "Sauna Detox" programs are using names which do not include "Narconon", but use the same L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology techniques and course material for the program. For addictions that require it, some Narconon-affiliated programs use a medical detox procedure first, and then refer people on to a more standard Narconon-style sauna detox with Scientology-based coursework. Some of these include (but are not limited to) generic names like New Life and First Step, and Pur Detox; and more specific sounding names like Sunshine Summit Lodge, Huntington Harbor House, Novus Detox, and Suncoast Rehab Center.

Finding a good, legitimate rehab facility

If you are seeking a drug rehab facility, the most important thing you can do is to research the facility by name. Once you have narrowed down to a few that you are considering, check with the agency in the state or country that licenses drug rehab facilities about prior violations and license revocations for the specific facilities. Ask for specifics about the program - exactly what the program entails, how long it will last, who the program director is and what their qualifications are, who the medical director is, what the policy is with regard to employment of counselors and other staff members, and ask to tour the facility first before signing anything. Ask advice on some of the discussion forums that specialize in drug and alcohol rehab. Ask advice from people you know. The main thing you want to do is avoid being in a hurry and not thoroughly researching the facility you choose. There are good programs out there - they may just not be the first ones you find when you search the web.

Have questions, comments, or information?

Talk to us here: Narconon and related groups

Printable literature?

A trifold flyer with information about Narconon is available here: http://www.reachingforthetippingpoint.net/NarcononFlyer-2010-06-11.pdf