The Real Dangers of Alcohol Rehab With Narconon

Narconon is the operational drug and alcohol rehab branch of the Church of Scientology, and they operate almost 200 treatment centers worldwide. Although they are a branch of the Church of Scientology, for a number of reasons they conceal this fact, and no promotional materials for Narconon will ever reveal this affiliation with Scientology.

The Narconon program of drug and alcohol rehabs are based on the works and writings of Scientology founder and Guru L. Ron Hubbard, and although he possessed no real scientific training (he lied about this) the science on which the Narconon organization bases its treatments are all reliant on his works.

Medical professionals have completely disproved the fundamental scientific assertions of the treatments; yet the faithful of Narconon carry on, presenting home grown science that seems to back their claims. They do not allow for any independent confirmation of their data, and are extremely secretive about all data and recovery statistics.

Why Narconon might kill you

One aspect of the philosophy of Narconon, which at face value seems to make some sense, is that since the consumption of drugs has created the addiction and such accompanying problems in life, using drugs (medications) in the treatment of addiction only worsens the addict’s problems.

Of course when you really think about this you can see that drugs of abuse and medically necessary pharmaceuticals are quite unrelated, and that the use of aspirin, is very unlikely to ever worsen a problem with addiction!

Unfortunately, their philosophy of abstinence from all drugs is not only ridiculous; it’s also dangerous; so dangerous that the American Medical Association expressed grave concerns over the safety of the Narconon detox programming ( The dangers of Narconon rehab ).

The detox off of certain drugs, such as alcohol, can be very dangerous, and in some cases even fatal unless pharmaceutically managed; and there is a serious risk of seizures, convulsions and even fatal heart problems.

Thankfully, all of these risks can be controlled through the minimal use of certain CNS depressants, and these medications also greatly reduce the discomfort of an alcohol detox; but at a Narconon rehab, alcoholics are not given needed medications, and are left to take their chances with seizures and convulsions on the back of a misguided and absurd philosophy from an equally misguided scientist.

Narconon is dangerous, and it doesn’t work

Most of the treatments as offered at a Narconon facility make about as much sense as withholding needed medications from people at risk for heart failure, and these drug and alcohol rehabs present a legitimate threat to the health and wellbeing of those who enter.

If you need drug treatment, and especially if you need alcohol rehab and detoxification, you should not consider any Narconon affiliated program as a safe or reasonable place at which to get needed care.

Anyone considering a rehab should make certain that their time, energy and money goes to a treatment facility that offers them the best chance at a full recovery and lifetime of sobriety; a facility that does use scientifically and clinically proven therapies, and a facility that does not risk your health, and even your life by withholding needed and non intoxicating medications.

Do you research, ask your doctor, find a quality program and get the help you deserve. Don’t take a chance with Narconon.

Christian Shire is an addictions professional writing about all matters pertaining to treatment and recovery. If you need help making a decision about treatment visit Choosehelp to read more.


Read the daily addiction blog troubleblog for stories of recovery and the latest news on treatment options.

Subscribe to Our Feed!

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner