Alcohol-Dependency.Net

Science of Addiction

There are a number of differing opinions about the actual mechanics of alcoholism and drug addiction. Some consider it to be a bio-chemical illness, brought about by problems with substances called neurotransmitters. Others consider it to be a mental illness best treated with psychotherapy.

Unfortunately, neither of these schools of thought have produced a truly effective means of treating the problem. Many patients treated with anti-depressants or other "psychiatric" type therapies experience mixed results.

The Narconon program produces spectacular results in removing the root causes of addiction. One of the cornerstones of our treatment is the Detoxification program. Drugs such as crack cocaine, heroin, valium, PCP, amphetamines (crank, crystal, meth, ecstasy, etc.) alcohol and their residues, including medicinal drugs such as narcotic painkillers, tranquilizers and sleeping pills, can remain in the body for years. These residues can trigger a variety of symptoms, including drug cravings and depression. A vital step in the successful rehabilitation of substance abuse is flushing out these accumulated toxic residues so that the person no longer experiences unwanted adverse effects from the drugs he has taken. An exact regimen of medically supervised exercise, periods of time sweating in a dry sauna and nutritional supplements are used to rid the fatty tissues in the body of these drug residues.The results can be spectacular.

Kathlene Kerr, M.D.

"I have acted as Medical consultant to the Narconon program for 15 years. For the past decade I have studied the results obtained through the use of a detoxification method developed by L. Ron Hubbard, utilizing vitamins, sauna baths and exercise, which is a part of the Narconon program."

"While this detox method is strenuous, it is easily and safely accomplished, after a medical checkup, when done under standard supervision by trained personnel. Narconon clients, with histories of moderate to extremely heavy substance abuse, show a marked improvement in alertness, clarity of thought and general health by undergoing this treatment. Most also report a substantial reduction in their craving for drugs or alcohol."

"Published scientific studies of the technique have shown it to be successful in reducing the concentration in body tissues of a variety of toxins and contaminants, and I highly recommend its continuing use as an effective tool in the treatment of addictions."

Megan Shields, M.D.

"It is increasingly evident that the accumulation of drug residues and their lipophilic metabolites in the body plays a role in drug addiction. Such residues are associated with persistent symptoms and their mobilization from body stores into blood correlates with drug craving.

A detoxification method developed by L. Ron Hubbard was specifically targeted at reducing levels of fat-stored chemical residues in the body and thereby alleviating the long term effects of such compounds. We were interested in determining whether drugs were eliminated during this program and, if so, what types of symptom changes occurred as a consequence.

The concentration of drug metabolites in both sweat and urine was measured in eight clients who had been actively using drugs prior to treatment with the Hubbard program. Treatment occurred at the Narconon drug rehabilitation center in Los Angeles. Cocaine, amphetamine, and benzodiazepine (valium) metabolites were detected by fluorescent immunoassai in both sweat and urine of these clients.

Following start of treatment, metabolite concentration increased in either sweat or urine in five cases. In two cases the level of drug was below detection prior to treatment but became detectable while doing the detoxification program. Drugs continued to be eliminated for up to five weeks. A separate series of 249 clients with a history of drug abuse rated the severity of their symptoms before and after treatment with the Hubbard program. Prior to treatment their chief symptomatic complaints included fatigue, irritability, depression, intolerance of stress, reduced attention span and decreased mental acuity These same symptoms were dominant in those who had ceased active drug abuse over a vear prior to treatment. Following treatment, both past and current users reported marked improvements in symptoms with most returning to normal range.

This detoxification program represents a vital innovation in drug rehabilitation: an approach aimed at a long term reduction of the predisposition for drug abuse."