You are comparing 12 Step to non-12 Step programs and want to know what you can look forward to after you make a decision. I’ll show you several basic differences between 12 Step, medical, psychological and social educational programs of rehabilitation.

12 Step programs use fellowship meetings and applying the 12 Steps to one’s life. The first several of these steps either turn people toward or away from further support.

12 Step — First Steps

1. Admitting one is powerless over their addiction

2. Accepting a self-given label as addicted or alcoholic

Medical

1. Acceptance that addiction is a disease

Managing the addiction is a life-long struggle and needs to be managed with counseling / medications. Relapses are expected

Psychological

Re-evaluation of situations with counseling assistance, requires considerable evaluations and many different strategies

Success is as varied as the number of psychologists practicing in addictions

Social Educational

Addiction is caused by problems, often un-confronted, that the person has not yet solved

Ending addiction is expected through ones own efforts or participation in gaining greater skills / abilities

Deciding between which method of recovery is most appropriate to address their abuse or addiction depends on personal goals for rehabilitation.

Participation and Personal Investment

1. 12 Step – very flexible scheduling, support groups in most cities, no financial investment into recovery, except occasional coffee donation

2. Medical – sometimes a brief or 30 day intensive program plus on-going visits to doctors, medications for long-term periods if condition persists. Costs for intensive treatment, medical plans and / or pharmacy costs

3. Psychological – sometimes a brief or 30 day intensive program plus regular therapy sessions, may require concurrent medication as well. Costs of intensive rehab program plus costs of visits and medications as required

4. Social Educational – usually an initial intensive period of study in or out-patient, often a period of detoxification, followed by ongoing application of life skills or principal applications in life. Cost for intensive rehab program, no ongoing costs

Once one has decided on the basic approach one wishes to take to gain recovery, some bigger decision need to be made. Does one need to break the cycle of drinking and drugging abruptly? Is the addiction or alcoholism caused enough pain or damage already?

Intensive Recovery Programs – In-patient

1. 12 Step, ½ Way Houses, Group Meetings To Executive Class

Time: 1 week to 90 days. Costs: for ½ way house $300 / week + mandatory group meetings. Mid Range In-patient $3,000 / week, nice location fairly reliable / knowledgeable staff. Executive Class $5,000 to $10,000 / week, great locations, expert staff

2. Medical

Time: 1 week to 90 days. Costs: $5,000 to $10,000 / week. Hospital or medical center environments, medical staff / nurses

3. Psychological

Time: 1 week to 90 days. Costs $2,000 to $10,000 / week. Residential / Center settings. Various levels of care providers / counselors

4. Social Educational

Time 1 month to 4 months. Costs $1,000 to $2,000 / week. These programs usually go for months as one is acquiring new skills – students refer to these programs as colleges of life

There is a lot to learn about different rehab programs. I hope this summary helps you start your journey forward on clearer footing.

Would you like to hear from a recovered addict of his experience with 12 Step and Social Educational programs?

Contact Tibor A. Palatinus, CCDC and Drug Rehab Advisor and Intervention Consultant

1-866-266-6616

The Way to Happiness Course

Writes Dr. Alfonso Paredes*: The Way to Happiness Course is the final module or course of the Narconon^® rehabilitation program. At this point the student has successfully completed the seven previous modules and is ready to integrate those social skills into a set of 21 precepts that outline a practical ethical or moral code “based on common sense” covering most areas of personal and social behavior.

The precepts include basic survival guidelines such as “Keep your body clean,” “Eat properly,” and “Take good care of yourself when you are ill,” as well as admonitions such as “Be temperate,” “Don’t take harmful drugs,” and “Do not drink alcohol to excess.” Some sexual behavior issues are addressed like “Don’t be promiscuous,” “Be faithful to your sexual partner.” Other advice includes principles such as “Don’t do anything illegal,” and “Respect the religious beliefs of others.”

Each precept is presented with brief essays that explore their meaning and implications. The precepts provide guidance that goes beyond avoiding addiction or criminal behavior. Students complete practical exercises that demonstrate their understanding of the benefits to be gained from adhering to each precept, as well as their ability to apply the principles to situations in their lives and as productive members of society.

Student Successes “The concepts in ‘The Way to Happiness’ are things we all know, but rarely apply. In reading and writing out the worksheets, I clarified the importance of following the precepts. I am truly happy. Thank you Narconon for giving me the tools and technology to get off drugs and live a happy, ethical life. I will apply the things I learned here in my life everyday. — L.S.”

“I couldn’t have asked for a better ending of these books than Book 8. From everything I learned in all the other books, Book 8 put a polished finish on the knowledge retained. I now have a better understanding of how to show and act out what I have learned from these precepts. Thank you Narconon for the miracle you have been in my life. — G.S.”“Book 8 was a great book. It tells you a lot of things that you think are common sense, but when you’re a drug addict, you don’t do them. It’s a great book and it serves as kind of a refresher course for re-entering and how to conduct yourself in the world. — A.T.
* Dr. Paredes is Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science at UCLA. He has pursued a long career in research and administration in academic alcohol and other substance abuse treatment and research programs. In addition to UCLA he has held professorial positions at the University of Southern California, University of Oklahoma and Jefferson University Medical School in Pennsylvania. During his tenure as director of the University of Oklahoma Alcohol and Drug Related Studies, he was responsible for a program of basic and applied research supported by the National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism. Under NIDA’s support he established the UCLA/VA Laboratory for the Study of Addictions, which became the site for several NIDA and State of California funded studies. He is former Chairman of the California Department of Mental Health Research Advisory Committee. Dr Paredes is investigator of a UCLA-based 12 year follow up study of cocaine dependence supported by NIDA. He has authored and co-authored more than 116 published articles. He is a former member of the Editorial Board of Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research, Associate Editor of Recent Developments in Alcoholism and member of the Program Committee of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Dr Paredes is a member of the Science Advisory Board for Narconon International.

Narconon International has many resources to help someone overcome drug addiction. We offer educational materials to help prevent drug abuse. For more information, visit our websites at www.narconon-news.org and www.narconon.org. For our published materials, visit the Narconon bookstore.

Contact: Tibor A. Palatinus, CCDC for information about how to enroll onto a Narconon Detox and Rehab Program: 1-866-266-2216

© 2008. Narconon International. All Rights Reserved. Narconon and the Narconon logo are trademarks and service marks owned by Association for Better Living and Education International and are used with its permission

Helping Someone Overcome Addiction

© 2008 Narconon Detox. All rights reserved. NARCONON and the Narconon logo are registered trademarks and service marks owned by Association for Better Living and Education International and are used with its permission.

Writes Dr. Alfonso Paredes*: The Personal Values and Integrity Course addresses the fact that lack of respect for conventional ethical norms and engagement in repeated transgressions are common among addicts. Individuals addicted to alcohol and drugs tend to commit further transgressions to support or conceal their drug use. This behavior often becomes ingrained and the person may try to self-justify such actions with convoluted and self-destructive arguments.

Exercises in the Personal Values module help the student to formulate a set of ethical values. The formulation process begins having them consider general assumptions about the conditions necessary for human survival.

Accordingly, survival is accomplished through eight routes or “dynamics.” These include: the maintenance of individual physical integrity; sex, including procreation and rearing of children; satisfying the urge to become part of social groups such as school; workplace or community; positive affiliation with humanity as a species; helping the survival of any kind of life-an individual survives to make life survive; improvement of the material environment; quests for spirituality; and exploration of the personal idea of a Supreme Being, Prime Mover or Creator.

Regarding this last point, it should be noted that the Narconon program is secular and does not define or attempt to re-define the individual’s religious construct or belief.

The “dynamics” described cannot be taken into account individually as the condition of one area of life impinges on all the others. Therefore, the formulation of ethical or moral principles must consider the highest level of survival across all dynamics taken up collectively. Unethical situations are those in which the individual does something contrary to the survival of one or more of the dynamics mentioned.

The process of formulation of individual ethical principles is operationalized as follows. Through a set of exercises, the student is asked to give examples of transgressions to the ethical code that he has observed from others in the past. This provides opportunity to present examples of transgressions against principles such as honesty, truthfulness, personal commitment, individual integrity, interpersonal responsibility, commitment to promised allegiance, etc. The exercises indirectly assist the student in the definition of values, which he may later make his own.

As a next step, the student is asked to provide examples of transgressions in which he has been involved. Through the course exercises, the student makes a specific and exacting inventory of his past oversights. He then is asked to identify how and when misdeeds of omission or commission occurred, who was involved and what harm resulted. Through this cathartic experience, the addict may have opportunity to experience relief from guilt.

An important element of this module is taking responsibility for the consequences to others resulting for these transgressions. During this step students outline means to repair the negative consequences of their previous destructive actions and begin to implement this plan with the assistance of the Narconon staff.

“… When I started this [Personal Values and Integrity Course] it was truly rough because I didn’t want to see that a lot of the things that I had done were wrong… but, I noticed that the more that I wrote the better I felt, not just about me, but I felt better about the situation itself. I no longer saw the things that I had done as these HUGE terrible deeds that I needed to forget. I saw them for what they were with this new found confront I have on my past! — J.S.”

“The success and gains achieved [in this course] are far reaching and profound indeed. I always felt I had an ethical base, but with “ethics technology,” I now have a way and a system to actually apply and monitor my ethical behavior. Now I know that by being honest with myself and my group I can stay ethical. … This tech has really given me freedom to be free again and the ability to demand the highest level of survival for myself! … D.M.”

To contact someone about the Narconon Drug-free Detox and Rehab Program,

CALL Tibor A. Palatinus, CCDC at 1-800-349-7616

* Dr. Paredes is Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science at UCLA. He has pursued a long career in research and administration in academic alcohol and other substance abuse treatment and research programs. In addition to UCLA he has held professorial positions at the University of Southern California, University of Oklahoma and Jefferson University Medical School in Pennsylvania. During his tenure as director of the University of Oklahoma Alcohol and Drug Related Studies, he was responsible for a program of basic and applied research supported by the National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism. Under NIDA’s support he established the UCLA/VA Laboratory for the Study of Addictions, which became the site for several NIDA and State of California funded studies. He is former Chairman of the California Department of Mental Health Research Advisory Committee. Dr Paredes is investigator of a UCLA-based 12 year follow up study of cocaine dependence supported by NIDA. He has authored and co-authored more than 116 published articles. He is a former member of the Editorial Board of Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research, Associate Editor of Recent Developments in Alcoholism and member of the Program Committee of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Dr Paredes is a member of the Science Advisory Board for Narconon International.

Drug dealers, anonymous terrorists and other anti-social individuals and groups have used drugs as the major method of creating disaster and chaos in society. The anonymous and hidden nature of drug pushing can only continue IF the purveyor (seller) remains secret or hidden from direct view.

Drug Abuse and drug pushing has been directly connected to terrorism. The funding of terrorism is achieved in many cases, through the sales of drugs. And drug abuse alone, produces chaos within ones family, society and one’s own life.

In the fall of 2004, I volunteered at the DEA Museum, called Target America. I spent 2 months partnering with the DEA delivering drug prevention education talks to the kids who toured the museum. This was an amazing experience for both the kids and myself. I spent hours finding out how drug dealing and drug abuse directly created destruction and death. I also found out that drug trading was funding terrorist organizations.

Today in the summer of 2008, little has changed the method of operations for drug dealers and anonymous terrorists. Cyber crime, hackers, dial a dope, online pharmaceuticals, drug pushers are all doing one thing: creating chaos in society. The more stress and tension that hidden chaos merchants inflict in society, the more dope that is pushed in on the populace, the greater the distractions from the truly important purposes of life.

Drug abuse, drug pushing, psychiatric pharma pushing, all produce a disturbed population made less aware of the purveyors of disaster. When searching out for the trouble in the peace, always look toward the producer of the chaos — the anonymous dealer, society upset or simply lies. Shed the light on these trouble makers and life will once again look cheerful and hopeful.

Anonymous terrorists, drug dealers and other anti-socials can only grow stronger where putrid bacteria grows — in the dark. By insisting that any upsetting or destructive communication be thoroughly validated by making the source known and information validated, one brings the light of truth to sordid conditions. Any black operation needs cover to continue and flourish.

Truth and those purportedly speaking the truth flourish when their identities are known and their facts validated. An ill meaning individual or group will ALWAYS hide behind anonymous labels. Invite them out into the daylight and see if they can flourish. You’ll most likely find they can’t survive in the light of day.

Insist those speaking ill or claiming ‘drugs help people’ make themselves known. No well meaning individual ever needs to hide. Hiding is an admission of evil intent. Invite all out into the open. See them for who they really are. The honest never hide. The anonymous hacker, online drug dealer or drug pushing criminal has lots to keep secret.

Articles exposing American Psychiatric drugging linked to the APA are being exposed. The American Psychiatric Association has been acting as ‘pusher’ for big pharmaceutical companies ‘producer’ for years. This relationship appears to be symbiotic as well as serving the APA more than Big Pharma.

The APA without Big Pharma would essentially have little or nothing to offer the American public in terms of valued services. Psychiatrists now spend the majority of their time prescribing drugs, not caring for the needs and counsel of their patients.

“It has been a rough year for American psychiatry. In June 2008, Congressional investigators exposed the financial relationships between drug companies and several high-profile psychiatrists. And on July 12, 2008, the New York Times reported, “Now the profession itself is under attack in Congress,” as psychiatry’s premier professional organization — the American Psychiatric Association — was exposed as being heavily dependent on drug company money.”

The article continues to point out all the hard-hitting facts that have been reported regarding psychiatry’s financial connection to pharmaceutical companies.

“Congress then investigated the American Psychiatric Association, which the New York Times called ‘the voice of establishment psychiatry.’ The American Psychiatric Association is the primary lobbying organization for American psychiatry, and it also publishes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which is the standard diagnostic manual. The New York Times reported:

‘In 2006, the latest year for which numbers are available, the drug industry accounted for about 30 percent of the association’s $62.5 million in financing. About half of that money went to drug advertisements in psychiatric journals and exhibits at the annual meeting, and the other half to sponsor fellowships, conferences and industry symposiums at the annual meeting.”

Tibor A. Palatinus, CCDC

See www.EnCognitive.com for a holistic natural resolution to life difficulties and an alternative to psychiatric drugging.

Crack Cocaine Abuse: Do you have a crack cocaine abuser in your life? Why do they abuse crack and never seem to get enough? Crack cocaine addiction can start even after only several ‘experimental’ inhalations from a pipe. Understanding how and why crack abuse becomes addiction is the first step to doing something to getting addiction out of your lives.

What is crack or crack cocaine?

Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug. The powdered, hydrochloride salt form of cocaine can be snorted or dissolved in water and injected.

Crack cocaine is cocaine that has not been neutralized by an acid to make the hydrochloride salt. This form of cocaine comes in a rock crystal that can be heated and its vapors smoked. The term “crack” refers to the crackling sound heard when it is heated.*

Regardless of how cocaine is used or how frequently, a user can experience acute cardiovascular or cerebrovascular (cerebro- relating to the brain + vascular - the blood vessels that supply it) emergencies, such as a heart attack or stroke, which could result in sudden death. Cocaine-related deaths are often a result of cardiac arrest or seizure followed by respiratory arrest.

How addictive is crack as a drug?

Some users of cocaine report feelings of restlessness, irritability, and anxiety. A tolerance to the “high” may develop—many addicts report that they seek but fail to achieve as much pleasure as they did from their first exposure. Some users will increase their doses to intensify and prolong the euphoric effects. While tolerance to the high can occur, users can also become more sensitive to cocaine’s anesthetic and convulsant effects without increasing the dose taken. This increased sensitivity may explain some deaths occurring after apparently low doses of cocaine.

How To Tell If Someone Is Using Crack or Cocaine – Physical Effects

Physical effects of cocaine use include constricted blood vessels, dilated pupils, and increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. The duration of cocaine’s immediate euphoric effects, which include hyper-stimulation, reduced fatigue, and mental alertness, depends on the route of administration. The faster the absorption, the more intense the high. On the other hand, the faster the absorption, the shorter the duration of action. The high from snorting may last 15 to 30 minutes, while that from smoking may last 5 to 10 minutes. Increased use can reduce the period of time a user feels high and increases the risk of addiction.

Does one have to detox from crack cocaine? Yes But Read On

Cocaine and crack cocaine detox is not only beneficial but required for a successful rehab program. BUT, crack detox doesn’t mean ‘medical detox’.

You don’t have to wait for someone to detox from crack before sending them to a Narconon Detox and Rehab program as we handle both the crack cocaine detox and rehab at the center. Both detox and rehab are done naturally, without drugs and using cutting edge nutrient discoveries that quickly end cravings, ill health and discomfort.

Nutritional / Medical Detox Facilities

For those highly intoxicated with crack and other drugs or medications, we have found the best medical detox centers that use an integrative approach to medical detoxification. Integrative Medical approaches mean the detox centers staff use a combination of many clinically superior treatments such as chelation, therapeutic touch, proper food / diet, medications, etc. This approach often triples speed of recovery and provides a comfortable withdrawal.

Why do people keep going back to crack cocaine after weeks of not using, I thought crack was really addictive?

He / she say’s they just do crack for fun, that they can quit anytime they want. How come they keep going back to using? There may be several reasons for this.

First: The crack abuser won’t accept help. This may be caused by several reasons. The major factors are covered in our first audio you listen to on our free subscription page at www.detox-narconon.org

Second: Crack / Cocaine is quite toxic and the after effects of the crack are effecting the crack / cocaine abusers mood, way of thinking and general health. Simply the drug abuser is feeling awful or not how they should, as so keep trying to feel ‘better’ by using cocaine.

Third: Crack / Cocaine stores long term in the body fat, organs, brain etc. As drug residues are trapped in the body, the former drug abuser won’t be quite able to fully shake the memory or experience of their past drug use without a complete and thorough and intensive sauna detoxification.

Once a person is addicted to crack, is it worth it to try and help them quit or are they ruined for good?

Yes, they should be helped, absolutely. Over 50% of our clients are suffering from crack cocaine addiction. Over 70% of our clients end their addiction problems with proper detox and rehab programs. What is really required is for you to learn all you can about full and complete crack cocaine detox and rehab centers that do the job they need to.

Call Tibor A. Palatinus, CCDC for a consultation at

1-866-266-6616 with questions of how to admit a person to crack cocaine detox and rehab.

THE ROLE OF GLUTATHIONE (GSH)

An antioxidant found in every cell in our bodies, glutathione is vital to the detoxification process. It binds to toxins and transforms them into a substance that the kidneys and liver can excrete from the body.

Glutathione helps our immune system and organs function normally. Low glutathione levels are linked to neuro-degenerative diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease, and can be a factor in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Diabetes, Gastrointestinal Inflammation, Atherosclerosis, Cataracts, Improper Hormone Regulation, and even Cancer.

Cells vital to the immune system cannot multiply without sufficient glutathione and therefore cannot produce as many antibodies to kill unwanted cells. Ultraviolet and other radiation, viral infections, environmental toxins, household chemicals, drugs, surgery, burns, inflammation and dietary deficiencies can all deplete glutathione.

Glutathione has no adverse side effects and offers only life-enhancing qualities, so it is important to support its production within our bodies.

Detox / Withdrawing From Medications

I’ve done a great deal of research and study in complications arising from withdrawing from prescription meds. While it is true one should work with a doctor to ween off of any drug, many doctors don’t know how to effectively take clients off of drugs smoothly and comfortably.

Working with companies like Point of Return, in coordination with your medical professionals have given people hope and health again and again.

I strongly recommend contacting either Point of Return or True Hope to gain assistance with your transition off of medications.

Tibor A. Palatinus, CCDC Drug Rehab Advisor

10-866-266-6616

Taken from www.labelmesane.com