The problem is that when people need help, they’re vulnerable. They’ll cling to things that promise to make them feel better, especially if there’s no work involved, because they’re tired and not at the top of their game. This makes them perfect prey. The financial fraud of antidepressants is easy to mask, at least long enough for someone to give in to the impulse decision.

Has anyone ever been “addicted” Scientology or any other drug-free tool? If it works for some people, even a small percentage of the population, then it beats psychiatric drugs. The problem with any program like Scientology is that you have to be willing to work and turn away from the fantasy of a push-button, instant solution. There is no easy way out.

Tom Cruise claims that he was able to build his empire using Scientology. What if he’s telling the truth? Whether you like his movies or not, he’s made it to the top in a very tough industry. I for one admire any person who has worked to build their life into something special — movie star or not. I guess we won’t be watching in morbid fascination as Tom Cruise is found dead from an overdose. Criticizing him is silly, but it’s also a lot easier than fixing your own life.

Spiritual and Mental Stress [psychosomatic], cause a large proportion of physical and mental illnesses, experienced by individuals.

These physical symptoms are then diagnosed by the Medical Doctor and Psychiatrists etc and treated with physical treatments. [Medication, operations, chemotherapy etc]

As the medical model mainly deals with the physical symptoms and has virtually no cures for these illnesses, and never will, they become acute or chronic and need long-term treatment.

When the Spiritual and Mental aspects of the psychosomatic illness or injury are handled with different forms of Psychotherapy [not psychiatric psychotherapy], the symptoms improve and in many cases cease to exist.

All illness should be handled with Spiritual and Mental Therapies [psychotherapy] if possible, as medication or drugs are not needed to get improvement and it has no side effects. The improvement is rapid, as after therapy the person is aware that his/her condition has improved.

Many operations are not needed when the above psychotherapies are used on the physical or mental condition or problem. Work stress can be lessened quickly without medications. All injuries, healing of them can be sped up. Many other problems can be improved by increasing a persons abilities and education to cope with life

I tend to doubt such broad conspiracy theories implying a diabolical intent for world domination. But the fact is many many parents and people are looking for a quick fix to their fears and concerns, or to behavioral issues with their children. Drugs often seem to keep the symptoms at bay. Now - I’d argue that in many cases (but not all) a change in lifestyle (more exercise, more social interaction, more outlets) will solve these issues better than drugs. But that is hard work that must be guided and will be full of failures and setbacks. Drugs will just keep you sedated or make you not care. Kind of an easier solution.
Don’t get me wrong - I’m well aware that many parents with kids on psychotropics do it reluctantly, but feel like they have no choice. But many others would benefit from some further examination - and learning that a psychatric drug should generally be seen as a bridge to a better state of mind, not the long term solution.

Welcome to the March 5, 2007 edition of energy and vitamins.

Shaheen Lakhan presents Roundtable: The Anti-Psychiatry Movement posted at GNIF Brain Blogger, saying, “Read about a fascinating discussion adressing the psychia…

The Purif (exercise/vitamins/sauna) is a method. You don’t need Scientology’s permission to study it.

Existing research can be found at: detoxacademy.org

If you know of a serious research organization that wants to fund a study of Narconon, please give me contact information. I’m serious. I will do my best to facilitate a meeting and/or discussions.

Brian

I also asked about the AMA. most doctor’s seem to think this program is not safe. No insurance will pay for it so it’s a major drain on families if it doesn’t work.

There have been many cases in the past where people have been dumpped at cheap hotel’s when they find out about the scientology connection and complain. Vince Daniels has done a few shows on this. You can also google Narconon and read about some of this.

There have been no clear studies because scientology has refused to open it up for study. My first question would be how many who compleat the program become members of scientology?
And the 75% success rate? If this is true why doesn’t scientology open it up for the world to study without cost? This issue is far to importent for money to be a factor if it works.

Narconon fits squarely into the world of alternatives. No one is saying that the American Psychiatric Association has given Narconon a big enthusiastic thumbs up. On the other hand, have the alternative medicine folks embraced Hubbard’s exercise/vitamin/sauna routine (aka Purif)? From everything I’ve looked into, some variation on “the Hubbard detox method” is the preferred method of drug detox for most alternative medicine folks. Hubbard is typically cited as the originator of the method.

With regard to the scientific studies … they look to me to show early promise. There’ve been less than a dozen in the last 25 years and the samples haven’t been large enough to really classify the system as “proven”. But the studies do indeed show promise, and my understanding is that much larger studies of both the Purif and Narconon are under way.

As to price … I think your numbers are correct. One commendable aspect of the folks at Narconon is that they do charge a flat fee (stay as long as you need) and they also allow you to return for free, if you lapse and fall back into drug use (I think it’s within the first year). It’s a very results-oriented program.

Brian

I’d say that the general concensus in the Church on the legalization vs. prohibition argument is that neither work. You take it away from people … they want it even more. You allow people to have it … they abuse it, largely due to the nature of physical addiction. I’d probably have to agree with you though, Scientology aligns itself more closely with the prohibition approach. Would that change if someone actually came up with a workable “middle ground” or combined approach? Perhaps. I couldn’t tell you.

Robin:
“Also the Church has been known to malign psychoanalyst and other cognitive therapist, grouping them in with institutional psychiatrists.”

Yup, I’ve seen the grouping-in bit happening in the rhetoric. But I think that you will find that when you move beyond the rhetoric of “they’re all just false subjects” (which in my view, most are), you’ll actually find that the “physically damaging practices” in the field of mental health are the real bugger that Scientologists have trouble with.

Other forms of non-invasive therapy? … again, it’s a matter of opinion. In general, Scientologists believe in a holistic approach, i.e. that a man is a spiritual, mental and physical being. All three need to be addressed for optimum health physically, mentally and spiritually.

Brian