Alcohol Addiction Treatment and Rehab Program

Clinically Reviewed by Claire Pinelli LADC, ICAADC, CCS, MCAP, Written by Karen Hadley

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While alcohol has been ruining lives for thousands of years, in our modern world alcohol abuse and alcoholism have become widespread societal problems claiming as many as 2.6 million lives each year. In addition to this grievous loss of life, alcohol is so destructive to the human body that it is involved in causing 31 health conditions. Some of these health conditions destroy a person’s quality of life and others may just make life miserable.

Despite these facts, millions of Americans continue to drink to destructive levels, driven by their cravings and perhaps a desire for temporary oblivion. There needs to be a safety net for these individuals. They need someplace safe where they can truly overcome the craving for alcohol and learn how to live without it.

For tens of thousands of individuals addicted to alcohol or illicit drugs, that safe place has been a Narconon drug and alcohol rehab center. Narconon centers are where many thousands of people have realized their dreams of lasting, healthy sobriety.

I had an aunt and a cousin who had done the Narconon program, so I knew that it worked, and my aunt said it was one of the best things she ever did. I had tried AA, but it was not the program I needed. I went to Narconon.... I have not had a drink in 15 years and I have no desire to start drinking again.”

C.C., Narconon Graduate

The Global Mission of Narconon

Narconon’s mission is to provide an effective path for long-term rehabilitation from drug and alcohol abuse and to assist society to eliminate the scourge of addiction.

Narconon is composed of a worldwide network of 31 residential rehab centers in 16 nations. More than 46,000 people have graduated the Narconon Program since 1966.

Since 1966, the Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation program has been on the leading edge of drug rehabilitation with its unique drug-free approach. The Narconon approach emphasizes repairing the physical health and mental clarity of the individual and building a strong set of life skills. Following life skills training, a personal examination of values and future planning helps each person prepare for a sober future.

At Narconon drug and alcohol rehab centers, it is known that complete recovery from addiction is possible without reliance on substitute medications. The effectiveness of this drug-free approach has enabled individuals rehabilitated at Narconon facilities around the world to build strong, stable and sober lives.

Narconon, a non-profit, public benefit organization is dedicated to one purpose-to save the lives of those trapped in the hell of drug or alcohol abuse and bring new hope and new lives to them and their families.

The Narconon program was founded on the discoveries of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. Mr. Hubbard also founded the Scientology religion, however, Narconon centers have no religious component and are not part of the Church of Scientology. Individuals of many different faiths choose to come to Narconon to recover from addiction while maintaining their religious affiliations or beliefs.

I had been in 6 different rehabs, from religious programs to 12-step and everything in between. My mom sent me information on the Narconon program, and especially the New Life Detoxification. After seeing that and the beautiful location, I felt this place was different. Oh boy, was I right.

“I’m completely drug free and happy. I am so thankful for Narconon being there. I wouldn’t be here without it. Neither would thousands of others. If you want a chance at life again or know someone who needs help, Narconon is the place.”

J.S., Narconon Graduate

Understanding Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol is one of the hardest drugs to quit in part because it is the most socially acceptable drug on the planet. Globally, alcohol is a $1.7 trillion a year industry, with $543 billion generated in the United States alone. Alcohol manufacturers and distributors worldwide spend $1.7 billion annually on advertising to popularize the use of spirits. This widespread popularity makes the path to successful recovery from alcohol abuse particularly challenging, making it one of the hardest drugs to quit.

Alcohol is present and often expected in countless situations: tailgate parties, fraternity or sorority gatherings, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, twenty-first birthday parties, sporting events, Cinco de Mayo celebrations, fine dining, Oktoberfest, and many more events see alcohol flowing freely. For some, attending these events can trigger a lifelong problem with alcohol. For others, it can even be fatal.

Alcohol addiction affects both the body and mind. The body becomes accustomed to the constant and toxic presence of alcohol. Ceasing consumption without the option of an effective rehab can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. The fear of the sickness, pain, and depressed state of mind that comes from stopping alcohol use keeps the abuser in the trap of alcohol addiction.

Many people attempt to stop drinking but are faced with intense cravings that seem to take over their bodies and their thoughts. A sudden event such as a failure or setback could trigger an irresistible need to drink. They may find themselves drinking before they even realize what's happening. They often feel worse after breaking promises to themselves and their families. The battle with alcoholism is not merely physical; it encompasses mental and social aspects as well. Stress, environmental triggers, shame, guilt and depression often lead to relapse.

The Narconon drug and alcohol rehab program addresses every aspect of this downward spiral. With its drug-free recovery approach, Narconon focuses on a unique regimen of detoxifying the body thoroughly to remove toxic residues which can trigger cravings.

This is essential as alcohol abuse can lead to the formation of toxic residues especially acetaldehyde a byproduct of alcohol metabolism, which can damage DNA, proteins and lipids contributing to various serious health issues.

The Narconon program also includes comprehensive life skills training that arms individuals with the tools to handle stress and build a new alcohol-free life. Detailed life planning is a key component of the program helping individuals set goals that promote a healthy, sober lifestyle.

By addressing the physical, mental and social challenges of alcoholism, Narconon offers a unique, holistic approach that breaks the cycle of addiction. The program provides a structured environment where individuals can safely and effectively regain their sobriety and rebuild their lives successfully.

Alcohol Abuse Often Accompanies the Use of Other Drugs

While some people just drink alcohol, many consume alcohol along with one or more other drugs. A new study found that among those individuals looking for treatment for alcohol problems, 35% were using one or more other drugs at the same time. The most common combinations were:

• Alcohol and cannabis: 21%
• Alcohol and benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, etc.): 15%

A recent study also discovered that among cocaine users, alcohol use at the same time or soon after was common in around 70% of cocaine users. Combining alcohol and cocaine results in the formation of cocaethylene in the body, a highly toxic chemical. Cocaethylene is much harder on the heart than cocaine by itself.

The Narconon program also tackles such poly (many) drug use in an individual and is proven to get long-term results creating sober lives free of both drugs and alcohol.

Conventional Rehabs Use Other Drugs to Solve Alcohol Addiction

Admission to a conventional alcohol rehab routinely results in a person being prescribed drugs like acamprosate, disulfiram or topiramate. Each of these drugs has unpleasant side effects ranging from fatigue and headache to organ damage and suicidality. By choosing the Narconon program, a person addicted to alcohol can avoid reliance on medications like these to sustain their sobriety:

• Antabuse/disulfram: If a person is taking this medication and they drink, they will feel very ill. That’s because the drug blocks the ability of the body to fully break down alcohol before it is eliminated. It does nothing to eliminate the cravings for alcohol plus its side effects can include impotence, liver failure, psychosis, confusion and seizures.
• Campral/acamprosate: This is supposed to help reduce cravings for alcohol. The side effects include depression, thoughts of hurting or killing oneself, sleep problems, weight gain, vomiting, and an allergic reaction requiring emergency medical care.
• Topiramate: This is a drug that is primarily used to prevent major and partial seizures and migraines. It is also used to treat alcohol dependence. Its side effects can include panic attacks, irritability, depression, aggressive behavior, preoccupation with death and withdrawing from friends and family.

For each of these drugs, there is a long list of more common side effects like weakness, shaking, nausea, numb hands or feet, stomach pain and much, much more. When it’s possible to avoid these drugs but still achieve a lasting sobriety, it is important to do so.

The Narconon Program provides a more viable and lasting solution to alcohol addiction by providing relief from the cravings, getting to the root cause of why someone started drinking, removing the toxic residues left in the body and building lasting skills to make sober decisions in the future.

The Unique Narconon Approach

Many families seek out Narconon centers when they have tried other types of rehab programs and their loved ones have experienced continual relapse. They want a new and different approach. After repeated failures at treatment that often sent their loved one home with multiple prescriptions, the family and their addicted loved one are desperate to break free from this “revolving door” of addiction recovery.

After nearly 60 years of experience, it has been shown that the Narconon rehabilitation program frees a person from the relentless cravings, guilt and depression caused by alcoholism. At Narconon no one is ever told that they will always be an addict or an alcoholic for the rest of their lives that requires indefinite treatment.

We're here. We're ready to help you.
Call us at 1-800-737-5250 to get help now. or learn more about the Narconon Drug Rehabilitation Program

Narconon’s holistic approach finally makes it possible for a person to leave addiction and alcoholism in the past and enjoy a sober life without the need for drugs or alcohol.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction is essential for the timely intervention and support of those suffering with this crippling affliction. When a person is addicted to alcohol, it is impossible to hide all the signs. Despite this, attempts at concealing one’s addiction are very common. If these signs were revealed, others might try to get the person to stop. An alcoholic feels compelled to protect their ability to keep using their alcohol of choice.

While only a small percentage of people addicted to alcohol end up homeless and others addicted to alcohol still remain in the workforce, alcoholics often use these facts to justify continuing to drink.

While there are many other signs to look for, poor work performance or problems at work are typical signs of dependence on alcohol. Potential alcoholism should be further evaluated against the following signs of alcohol addiction:

• Their alcohol consumption interferes with their work, school or activities in the home.
• They drink even though they know they will be driving or operating machinery.
• They are unable to cut down their consumption or stop drinking, despite promises and attempts to do so.
• They keep drinking even though they experience social, emotional, familial or mental problems.
• They have no memory of events that happened while they were drinking.
• They drink even though they have already experienced physical problems that result from excessive alcohol consumption.
• If they try to stop drinking, they begin to suffer symptoms that can range from agitation and tremors all the way to seizures and life-threatening fevers.
• They spend increasing amounts of time and money obtaining alcohol and arranging their commitments so they can drink.
• They have abandoned activities they previously enjoyed before they started drinking regularly.

A person that drinks heavily and often is rarely not addicted to alcohol. They cross the line into alcohol addiction when these conditions exist:

• They suffer strong cravings for more alcohol
• They suffer withdrawal symptoms if they quit drinking
• They can’t control or stop their drinking when they want or need to
• They need a greater volume of alcohol to get the same effect that a lower volume used to create (referred to as tolerance)

Alcohol: What You Need to Know

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Who Should Go to Alcohol Rehab

When a person can’t control their drinking and are suffering health, family, work and social harm as a result of their drinking, they need to urgently seek alcohol rehab. Alcoholism most likely will not go away on its own. The person’s life will continue to suffer the damaging effects of alcohol abuse.

If alcoholism is not addressed, a person can end up losing everything including their spouse, children, health, career, self-respect, home, even their life. Alcoholism is similarly hard on a person’s mental health. The guilt and depression that result from this addiction can be devastating to the individual and similarly hard on their family.

The health effects can be similarly devastating. These effects can result in several types of cancer, heart disease, stroke, liver failure, fertility problems and dementia. The daily rollercoaster of shame, lies and guilt further fuel an alcoholic decline into disability and illness.

When a person is headed down this road, it is essential to waste no time and intervene as soon as possible. The longer addiction lasts, the more damage that must be undone. Every day could bring a disastrous accident, injury or legal situation that could take years to unravel.

The Narconon program can put an end to the danger and damage suffered by the alcoholic and their family. Gradually, in this safe, supportive environment, each person has a chance to address the underlying reasons they started drinking in the first place, reclaim their self-respect while restoring their relationships and hope for the future.

I can now drive down the road and not have to look over my shoulder wondering if I am going to be pulled over for drunk driving!

“I can look forward to a life without drink and with pride that I got myself to Narconon and through the program and sober.”

J.B., Narconon Graduate

What Happens During Alcohol Rehab

The first step for any alcohol rehab is a safe withdrawal from alcohol. Depending on a person’s health and how much they are drinking, they may need a medically-supported detoxification to protect their health, and even their life, before entering a rehab program. A medical doctor makes this assessment and may send them to a medical detox first. Such a medical detox prescribes the use of specific medications to prevent seizures, high fevers or delusions from endangering their life. When the medical detox is complete, the person is then ready to start an actual alcohol rehab program. If a person did not need to undergo medical detox they will start the rehab program without this.

As soon as the individual starts a residential rehab, they are removed from the temptation to drink. They have no alcohol available and no friends who drink urging them to “have just one.” They can start learning to make sober choices and planning their life without alcohol.

At a Narconon rehab center, each person follows a step-by-step regimen that addresses all aspects of alcoholism to help them overcome its debilitating effects. Many addicts or alcoholics go through multiple rehab programs only to return to drug or alcohol use after they leave. The Narconon program is different. It offers long-term residential rehab for those in alcohol and drug recovery and for almost six decades it has helped people end recurring relapse.

For a newly rehabilitated person equipped with the skills to lead a sober existence, life is definitely worth living again!

I’ve been to seven rehabs and Narconon is just completely different. There are no medications in Narconon like there is in other rehabs. You don’t get put on psych drugs, sleep meds. You’re finding stuff out for yourself instead of having someone tell you what’s wrong with you.

G.R., Narconon Graduate

Alcohol Detoxification and Withdrawal

When one is an alcoholic, the cessation of drinking is usually an intensely uncomfortable and sometimes life-threatening process. Within hours of the last drink, many people suffer from symptoms like these:

• Feeling sweaty and clammy
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fast heart rate
• Tremors
• Agitation
• Fever
• Hallucinations
• Delirium
• Seizures

Fever and seizures are both capable of taking a person’s life. This is why a physician may determine to send the person to a medically-supervised detox as a prerequisite to beginning the Narconon program. In medical detox, management of the above symptoms includes sedation, usually with one of the benzodiazepines like Valium, Klonopin or Librium. Fever may be treated with intravenous fluids to keep the person hydrated and medications to reduce fever if it gets too high. Hallucinations may be treated with benzodiazepines or antipsychotic medication.

When a person is safely and completely through the medical detox, the next step is to arrive at at an alcohol and drug rehab facility. Everyone entering the Narconon program starts with the unique Narconon Withdrawal step. The nutritional, mental and physical support provided to each person helps get themon the road to recovery.

When I arrived at Narconon, I could immediately tell it wasn’t like any other program I had been to before. I thought the withdrawal process was going to be terrible, but surprisingly it was not.”

Benefits of Choosing Drug-Free Alcohol Rehab

Drug-free alcohol rehab does not use substitute medications like acamprosate, disulfiram or topiramate which have their own unpleasant side effects and do not address root causes or result in long-term sobriety. It is not necessary to make a person feel ill just to dissuade them from drinking alcohol or temporarily suppress cravings with a chemical solution. These may provide temporary benefit but not long-term, sustained results.

A person does not need to go through this when it is within their reach to achieve a lasting sobriety, through an abstinence-based, holistic approach with a time-tested record of creating sober individuals such as the Narconon program.

Beginning the Drug-Free Narconon Alcohol Withdrawal and Rehab

The Narconon Withdrawal is done as the first step whether the person did or didn’t undergo medical detox. This drug-free withdrawal process is designed to assist the individual to come off drugs and alcohol as rapidly and comfortably as possible.

During this step, Narconon Withdrawal Specialists are on hand 24/7 and available to help individuals through the difficult time of coming off drugs and alcohol. Narconon staff monitor sleep, food and fluid intake and general progress through the process. They also administer gentle physical techniques known as assists to help calm spasms and lessen aches and pains.

Nutrition plays a big role in the Narconon Withdrawal step. Because heavy alcohol use destroys nutrients in the body, a regimen of controlled amounts of vitamins and minerals are provided to remedy these deficiencies and help repair the body. These vitamins and minerals also help calm the person and are customized to each person’s needs. Supplements like calcium and magnesium soothe muscle cramps, calm nausea and support improved sleep.

Further, orientation exercises known as objectives helps the individual focus outward to their environment rather than introvert on their past memories, upsets and anxieties.

These exercises and the nutritional support help a person get more in touch with their surroundings and themselves so they are better prepared for undergoing the other steps of rehab.

When the Withdrawal step is complete, it is time to flush out the toxins each person has accumulated in the years they were addicted to alcohol. These toxic residues in the body affect emotions, mood and clarity of thinking.

American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard researched the best way to rid the body of these residual toxins with their lasting effects. Studying the combined effects of nutrition, exercise and sauna, he developed the New Life Detoxification.

This is a unique step of the Narconon program and it employs moderate exercise, sweating in a low-heat, dry sauna, and a customized regimen of nutritional supplements. This phase is designed to eliminate toxic substances from the body while decreasing cravings to drugs and alcohol.

The part of the program that stands out as the best for me was the sauna detoxification. This part of the program detoxifies the body of drugs and toxins, using exercise, vitamins, good nutrition, and sauna. As I went through this part of the program I felt better and better and by the end, I was feeling great and able to think clearly. It got me from the negative strata to square one, and I could then do the rest of the program to completion.”

J.H., Narconon Graduate

What Sets Narconon Apart from Other Rehab Programs?

Decades of Experience

Narconon, having started almost 60 years ago, is recognized as being one of the world’s premier and longest-standing rehab programs consisting of a worldwide network of centers. When someone comes to Narconon to get off drugs or alcohol they are participating in a program that has a long tradition of success and results. They will never be told that they are an addict or alcoholic for life nor that they have an incurable disease that they must learn to live with.

In the decades that Narconon has been helping people break free from addiction, the most common barriers, both physical and mental, have been isolated. This has shown that recovery from alcohol addiction is possible without reliance on substitute medications or the belief that one is always an addict or alcoholic. The discoveries at the root of the Narconon program have enabled thousands to achieve long-term, drug-free recovery from addiction.

Unique Rehabilitation Methodology

Alcohol rehab is a life-or-death matter. To recover from alcoholism, there must be a solution for the most pressing barriers to lasting recovery: strong physical cravings, depression and guilt. Every person who spends time addicted must overcome these barriers or risk relapse.

With its innovative approach, the Narconon program can provide this relief and stability. This program lessens cravings by helping remove drug and toxic residues from the body. The combination of sauna therapy, nutritional supplementation and exercise draw out these toxins to help eliminate cravings.

Past trauma can be overcome with communication and confront training followed by therapeutic exercises that bring each person out of the past and into the present.

Finally, it is vital for each person to face the harm they have done to themselves and others during their addiction. This recognition is their path to recovering responsibility for themselves, their families and their communities. It may be the most far-reaching part of this program but at every step, there are experienced staff to guide them, many of whom have been through this process themselves.

The final step guides the recovering person through a complete and honest moral inventory, which is followed by practical application of their new understanding and skills. Before going home, they must work out how to restore relationships with a spouse, children, family and others who have been harmed during addiction.

Before deciding on an alcohol rehab program, learn more about the unique, drug-free Narconon program.

I have never known more about myself and why I used in the first place until I did Life Skills. Relationships I thought I would never fix were repaired, got rekindled, and I became more and more fascinated with taking a closer look at my past, myself, and the steps to better living with myself and all the damage I caused. Through this process, I became who I worked so hard to be, and am still continuing to be.”

B.M., Narconon Graduate

Residential vs. Outpatient Alcohol Rehab

It is easy to understand why residential rehab can be more successful than outpatient treatment. The cravings felt by someone who is addicted to alcohol are overwhelming. Besides that, there is so much societal agreement and pressure on alcohol consumption. One’s peers may literally shame the person if they refuse to drink. When outpatient rehab is chosen, a person in alcohol recovery may be faced with continued alcohol availability, peer pressure and the temptation to use alcohol again.

With a controlled environment and around-the-clock supervision, an individual has all the support they need to stay sober. There is no alcohol available or accessible. This is the time to fully focus on recovery. This is the chance to put the needed intensive work into recovery and emerge at the other end a sober and happy individual.

For these reasons, the Narconon programs around the world are residential. As each person completes the New Life Detoxification, Objectives and Life Skills training, they have the full support of trained staff in a distraction-free environment. This is where each person can truly begin to make a new, sober life.

Benefits of Long-Term Residential Alcohol Rehab

1. The structured environment helps each person focus on their recovery without the stresses and distractions of daily life.
2. Each person can engage in recovery activities far more intensively and access support any time of the day or night.
3. There is no access to alcohol or drugs.
4. The 24-hour supervision provides the structure and needed guidance throughout recovery.
5. This new environment separates a person from temptations to keep drinking, alcohol-using friends and other triggers in their old environment.
6. A person regains a sense of community with others who are also overcoming alcoholism or addiction and who can provide support and hope for those who are newer in recovery.

These characteristics of residential rehab programs give each person their best chance of lasting recovery and are a powerful testament to long-term sobriety.

How to Choose the Right Alcohol Rehab

When an addicted person or alcoholic reaches for help, or when the family decides that rehab must happen now, it can be difficult to make the right choice. Use these questions to decide if an alcohol rehab program you’re considering is the right one.

1. Should you choose a short-term program or a long-term program? Many treatment programs are limited to just 28 days but years of alcoholism can create severe physical damage and build up extensive trauma and pain. A single month in rehab is seldom enough for a person to recover their ability to make sober decisions despite triggers and challenges. The Narconon program allows each person to progress at their own pace. The program typically takes 10 to 12 weeks to complete. What is most important is that a person has the time to stably be free of alcohol and to learn the skills of how to stay sober for the rest of their lives.
2. Does the program rely on medications that have toxic side effects or could be addictive themselves? If it does, you may want to find another option. The drug-free Narconon rehab program does not utilize any medications but rather emphasizes thorough detoxification of toxic residues and developing the life skills to resist relapse.
3. Is the philosophy of the program that addiction is a “chronic, relapsing disease” a person will never recover from? Many people do not accept this philosophy and are seeking a more permanent solution to sobriety. After nearly 60 years of success, Narconon has proven it is possible to leave addiction behind permanently and go on to live a stable, sober life. We do not believe that a person will always been an addict or that they have a lifelong disease. We focus on building their new sober living skills. Our track record of success shows we achieve sober and drug-free lives.
4. Does each person on the program get effective help for their strong physical cravings? Cravings are a huge driver for addiction and alcoholism. Once they are alleviated, recovery is in reach. The Narconon New Life Detoxification step addresses such cravings and those who undergo the program routinely state that they no longer experience such cravings.
5. Is there a life skills component that addresses the skills a person will need to make sober decisions? This is essential when looking for a alcohol rehab program. The Narconon program’s life skills component is designed to provide the specific skills needed to solve life's problems at home, with the family, at work and in the community and to make the right choices to remain sober.
6. Is there nutritional support for the damage done to the body due to alcohol addiction? Alcohol takes a terrible toll on the body, destroying nutrients that are essential for healthy functioning and a positive mood and clear thinking. This nutritional depletion makes sobriety harder. The Narconon Withdrawal step and the New Life Detoxification provide much-needed nutritional support to help each person rebuild both physical and mental health.
7. What is the measure of success for the drug rehab program? It’s important to ask this question. Some programs consider a person who completes rehab as a success. Some programs expect a graduate to maintain their sobriety through continued use of medications or attendance at group meetings. The Narconon program however builds in the skills to remain sober permanently. We consider that lasting sobriety after leaving rehab is the benchmark for success.

At Narconon centers there is a history of nearly 60 years of success in helping tens of thousands of individuals achieve drug-free, productive lives. Contact Narconon now to help someone you love recover from alcohol addiction.

We're here. We're ready to help you.
Call us at 1-800-737-5250 to get help now. or learn more about the Narconon Drug Rehabilitation Program

I owe my son’s life to the Narconon program. I am 100 percent certain that my son would not be alive today if I had sent him to any other program. Narconon is unique.”

When I finished the program and started operating with honesty, living my life with integrity and making right decisions, my whole family was so delighted to see the change in me. They couldn’t believe it. My mother, I remember her saying, ‘I can’t believe the person you have become.’ To this day, they still comment about how amazing as an individual I am now after doing this program and how honest I am. They talk about me in ways that make me feel really good about myself. Before the program, they were worried about me. Now they see such a big difference, they are confident in me and know I am going to do well.”

A.F., Narconon Graduate

The Narconon Difference

At Narconon rehab centers around the world, you’ll find a very different kind of approach. It’s a program that teaches that you will not always be an addict and provides the life skills you need to stay sober. It’s also a program with an innovative solution to the cravings that drive an alcoholic or addicted person to relapse.

There are no drugs administered as part of the Narconon program. Many families become frustrated when their loved one comes home from rehab on one, two or more different medications. For opioid addiction, the doctor’s choice may be buprenorphine or methadone. For alcoholism, it may be acamprosate, disulfiram or topiramate.

Narconon is a unique, drug-free approach that helps each person repair the damage done by alcohol or drug abuse as well as handling the reasons they started drinking or using drugs in the first place. The emphasis is on restoring each person to their natural abilities and potential that existed before drugs or alcohol were ever used.

If you’re looking for alcohol rehab, find out how this program is different and offers a lasting solution to sobriety.

How the Narconon Program Creates Lasting Sobriety

Before a person arrives at a Narconon Center for alcohol rehab they are assessed by a medical doctor to determine if they first need a medical detox. If they do they will be referred to a medically-supervised facility. As soon as this medical detox is complete they will then come to a Narconon center and commence with their rehabilitation program.

There are four phases to the Narconon Program:

1. Drug-free withdrawal that relies on nutritional supplements, objective exercises to bring the person out of past memories, into the present and physical assist techniques to calm and lessen the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
2. New Life Detoxification, a process employing moderate exercise and sweating in a dry, low-heat sauna to help flush out old accumulated drug and alcohol toxic residues.
3. Objectives—exact procedures that help refocus a person’s attention on the present, relieving the trauma, pain and guilt of the past.
4. Life skills training that helps equip a person with tools for when challenges arise in the future and teaches them how to preserve their own integrity and rebuild relationships with family and friends.

The Narconon drug and alcohol rehab program has nearly 60 years of success behind it. Our success is measured in terms of lives saved, with the majority of graduates going on to lead happy, healthy drug-free and sober lives.

Whether you or a loved one have tried multiple rehabs before or this is the first, find out how the Narconon program is different. This may be just what you or your loved one needs to put an end to alcohol addiction.

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Narconon’s Comprehensive Drug-Free Alcohol Rehab Process

Let’s take a closer look at each phase of the Narconon program that rescues a person from alcohol addiction and results in a new, lasting sobriety. Each step builds on the stability developed in prior steps until finally, a person is ready to return home sober and start a new alcohol-free life.

Before starting the drug-free Withdrawal step, a medical doctor will determine if a person needs a medical detox to protect their health. After completing medical detox in a medically-supervised facility, the person will arrive at a Narconon center and begin his or her rehab program. If a person does not require a medical detox they will commence their rehab directly at a Narconon Center.

The Narconon Program consists of four distinct phases.

1. Drug-Free Withdrawal.
   This drug-free withdrawal helps each person come off alcohol as rapidly and comfortably as possible. Narconon Withdrawal Specialists are on hand around the clock to monitor sleep, food, fluid intake and to provide support. They also use gentle physical techniques known as assists to help calm spasms and lessen aches and pains. Carefully planned vitamin and mineral formulas further calm the body and begin to repair the damage done by extensive use alcohol.

I started with a drug-free withdrawal, which was completely unlike any other rehab I had been in. They let me rest, take vitamins and start to feel strong in my own time.”

K.N., Narconon Graduate
2. New Life Detoxification.
   This phase was designed to help eliminate toxic substances from the body while decreasing the physical cravings related to drug or alcohol use. L. Ron Hubbard discovered that toxic residues from drugs and alcohol remain trapped in the body’s fatty tissues and may be reactivated even years after the person has ceased taking drugs. The New Life Detoxification consists of running to stimulate circulation, spending time sweating in a low-heat, dry sauna to eliminate accumulated drugs and toxins, and a nutrition regimen including specific vitamins, minerals and oils in exact quantities. The purpose of the New Life Detoxification is to help rid the body of toxic residues from drug and alcohol abuse and eliminate their negative effects, including drug cravings.

I no longer felt cravings at the end of sauna, and I had no desire to do drugs. My body and my mind felt better.”

K.M., Narconon Graduate
3. The Objectives.
   Alcohol dulls a person’s awareness and impairs their perceptions and communication with the environment, family and friends. Objectives refresh the person’s view of the world and engagement with the present environment. This improvement extroverts each person’s attention from disturbing memories associated with alcohol use. They are able to view the world around them clearly, often for the first time.

Narconon taught me something I didn’t even know was possible—it taught me to be comfortable with myself and with others. To take control over my life.”

C.B., Narconon Graduate
4. Life Skills Courses.
   Finally, it’s time to address the reasons a person turned to alcohol in the first place and to give them the skills to stay sober. These tasks are accomplished through practical coursework to instill vital sober living skills. These are skills that people struggling with alcohol abuse have often lost sight of—or never had. There are three parts to this training.
• Overcoming Ups and Downs in Life Course: The person learns how to identify true friends and positive people and how to identify those likely to lead them back to drinking. They learn how poor choices of friends or acquaintances have damaged their life and how to make better choices in the future.
• Personal Values Course: The person learns how personal values are lost and how to restore them. They come to recognize their actual obligations. They learn how to take responsibility for the past. This process provides relief from past trauma and guilt, enabling them to look forward to a fresh, new life.
• Changing Conditions in Life Course: Because drug and alcohol use often stems from an inability to deal with challenging situations, it is vital that those in recovery learn constructive problem-solving skills. On this course, individuals learn that any situation may be resolved without compromising their personal integrity. The course further teaches them effective formulas to apply to life’s situations that enable them to make the right decisions about their survival and resolve problems and conflicts.

Where I received the most change was in life skills. The tools given to me there are exceptional; they not only helped me get right but allowed me to better my conditions in life, giving me a sense of security and faith that I can now live a long, happy life. What I got out of the conditions is priceless. I got an answer to a lifelong problem that made sense.”

Z.R., Narconon Graduate

As the Narconon program winds up, each person spends time with a specially trained Graduate Officer who reviews the entire program with the individual. When this is complete and the results of the program have been verified, the Graduate Officer helps them plan their return to home and life. Under guidance, the individual crafts an individual plan of action that addresses any situations that may still exist in the home or work environment. The Graduate Officer follows up for at least two years to provide further support and guidance. This follow-up care is key to the success of the individual in his new, sober life.

Questions About Alcohol Rehab, Addiction, Treatment and Recovery

Get your most important questions about recovering from alcohol addiction answered here.

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Call us at 1-800-737-5250 to get help now. or learn more about the Narconon Drug Rehabilitation Program

How to Take the First Step in Alcohol Recovery

It is very easy to take that first step. Our intake consultants are available to speak to you wherever you are. Our centers are ready to serve you or a loved one. Call Narconon and ask about our unique and effective drug and alcohol rehab program that has been restoring sobriety for nearly 60 years.

Narconon is different from many other rehab programs. It is a long-term, residential program that gives a person the support, structure and training they need to stay drug and alcohol-free after they go home. At Narconon, alcohol addiction is not considered a lifelong curse nor an incurable disease that one lives with for the rest of one’s life. It can be overcome. Call Narconon now for a confidential conversation.

When I came to Narconon, I was nervous at first, but the staff were so friendly and nice that I settled in quickly. My time at Narconon was one of my favorite times in my whole life because everyone understood me and had experienced similar things. In fact, it was hard for me to leave when I graduated but I was also excited to go home.”

N.M., Narconon Graduate

Get Support and Access to Valuable Resources

Do you need more information on Narconon? Or are you seeking a better understanding of alcohol, drugs and addiction? Find what you need in our guide to international locations, list of ways to contact us and much more.

Narconon's global network of rehabilitation centers provides effective alcohol addiction treatment in locations across North America, South America, Europe, South Africa, and Asia. Our dedicated facilities offer the complete Narconon program in supportive, residential environments specifically designed for recovery.

Additional Resources

• Complete Program Information
• Narconon Blog: Recovery Stories and Insights
• Signs & Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse
• Support & Resources
• Long-term recovery planning: what is important to have in place.
• Guidance of what to do when dealing with addiction.
• Alocohol Information

Take the first step today. A drug-free life is possible, and we're here to help you achieve it.