Opioid Addiction Treatment

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Opioid addiction impacts millions of Americans through prescription medications like oxycodone and illicit drugs like heroin and fentanyl. While "opiates" technically refers only to natural derivatives from the opium poppy plant, "opioids" encompasses all substances that affect opioid receptors, but both require the same treatment approach.

Since the 1990's opioid addiction has reached epidemic levels. This epidemic is due in part to the aggressive marketing of prescription opioids that minimized addiction risk. Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, who owned it, ultimately convinced others in the medical profession to begin to look at pain as a fifth vital sign. Court records show that Purdue Pharma and the Sacklers were both aware of the dangerously addictive nature of opioids, but downplayed the risk. In 2016, the American Medical Association recognized that viewing pain this way contributed to the opioid epidemic and directed that its use should be stopped. Since 2019, Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family have collectively faced more than 2,900 lawsuits from various entities, including hospitals, insurers, local governments, tribes, and individuals, with billions of dollars awarded. While the use of pharmaceutical opioids has declined in recent years due to tightened prescribing guidelines and increased awareness of addiction risks, this progress has been overshadowed by a dramatic surge in illicitly manufactured synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl. This dangerous shift represents a new frontier in the opioid crisis, one that is proving even more lethal than its predecessors.

I had been in 6 different rehabs, from religious programs to 12-step and everything in between. When I came to Narconon, I was just out of prison for the 3rd time... My mom sent me information on Narconon Arrowhead, the 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 Arrowhead being there. I wouldn’t be here without it. Neither would thousands of others.”

J.S., Narconon Graduate

Narconon’s Global Commitment

For nearly 60 years, Narconon has helped thousands overcome opioid addiction through a holistic, drug-free approach. Founded on L. Ron Hubbard's humanitarian principles, our secular program treats the whole person—physically, mentally, and spiritually—without religious doctrine.

Unlike programs that incorporate medications as part of treatment, Narconon follows a drug-free approach and addresses the root causes of addiction. Our long-term residential program combines effective detoxification with practical life skills training, creating a foundation for genuine recovery rather than symptom management.

With centers across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, Narconon makes effective treatment accessible worldwide while continuously improving our methods through collaborative research and shared experience.

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 some psychiatrist or psychologist tell you what’s wrong with you.”

G.R., Narconon Graduate

Understanding Opioid Addiction

Opioids and opiates encompass a broad category of substances that interact with specific receptors in the brain and body to produce pain relief, euphoria, and sedation. They fall into three main classifications: natural opiates derived directly from the opium poppy (like morphine and codeine); semi-synthetic opioids created by modifying natural compounds (including heroin, oxycodone, and hydrocodone); and fully synthetic opioids manufactured entirely in laboratories (such as fentanyl, methadone, and tramadol). Despite their different origins, all opioids produce similar effects by binding to and activating the body's opioid receptors, though their potency, duration, and specific characteristics can vary significantly.

Opioid addiction develops through a predictable but often rapid progression:

• Stage 1: Initial Use - Typically produces intense euphoria and pain relief at levels far exceeding natural stimuli.
• Stage 2: Tolerance - With continued use, the body adapts by reducing its own natural opioid production and decreasing receptor sensitivity.
• Stage 3: Escalation - As tolerance builds, users require increasingly larger doses to achieve the same effect, accelerating the cycle toward physical dependence.
• Stage 4: Dependence - Once dependence develops, the absence of opioids triggers the body's withdrawal response.
• Stage 5: Addiction - Withdrawal symptoms become so intensely uncomfortable that avoiding them becomes the primary motivation for continued use, regardless of negative consequences.

This transition from initial use to dependence can occur with startling speed, particularly with highly potent synthetic opioids.

One of the most significant barriers to sustained opioid recovery results from post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS)—a range of symptoms that persist long after the initial acute withdrawal phase has passed. While the intense physical symptoms of acute withdrawal typically subside within 7-10 days, PAWS can continue for months or even years, triggering relapse when individuals believe they should be "over" their addiction. PAWS symptoms include intense, unpredictable cravings, mood disturbances ranging from anxiety to depression, cognitive difficulties affecting concentration and memory, sleep abnormalities, and heightened sensitivity to stress.

Addressing the root causes of both acute and post-acute withdrawal—rather than just managing the symptoms—is essential for achieving lasting recovery from opioid addiction. This fundamental principle underpins Narconon's comprehensive, long-term approach to opioid rehabilitation. Narconon's New Life detoxification program handles the cravings that can continue for years after stopping the drug.

Medical vs. Illicit Opioid Use

Pharmaceutical opioids serve legitimate medical purposes as powerful pain management tools in controlled healthcare settings, where precise dosages can be measured. While often described as essential for pain management, the appropriate medical applications for opioids are actually quite limited—primarily for severe acute pain following major surgery or trauma, cancer-related pain, and end-of-life care. Despite pharmaceutical industry marketing claims in the late 1990s and early 2000s, research has consistently shown that opioids have limited effectiveness for chronic non-cancer pain, with risks frequently outweighing benefits over extended periods. Most evidence-based guidelines now recommend non-opioid alternatives as first-line treatments for conditions like chronic back pain, neuropathy, and arthritis.

Pharmaceutical opioid medications can be diverted to illicit markets through various channels, including prescription fraud, pharmacy theft, "doctor shopping" (visiting multiple physicians to obtain multiple prescriptions), and the resale of legitimately prescribed medications. As a result of the opioid epidemic, stricter guidelines and monitoring programs have significantly reduced the number of medications diverted to the illicit market. However, this reduction has opened the door to other substances.

Perhaps most alarming of which are counterfeit prescription pills containing lethal doses of synthetic opioids. These fake medications, designed to mimic legitimate pharmaceuticals like oxycodone (Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin), or alprazolam (Xanax), often contain unpredictable amounts of fentanyl or its analogs. According to DEA testing, approximately 60% of seized counterfeit pills contain potentially lethal doses of fentanyl. This contamination extends beyond fake pills to other substances like cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA, putting even casual recreational drug users at severe risk of unintentional opioid exposure and fatal overdose. The inability to visually distinguish genuine pharmaceuticals from dangerous counterfeits has created an unprecedented public health crisis where a single mistake can prove deadly.

Conventional Rehab Approaches for Opioid Addiction

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) has unfortunately become the standard approach for opioid addiction in rehabilitation, combining replacement medications with counseling under the premise that pharmaceuticals can stabilize brain chemistry while therapy addresses behavioral aspects. The three primary medications—methadone (a full opioid agonist), buprenorphine/Suboxone (a partial agonist with lower overdose risk), and naltrexone (an opioid blocker)—are often prescribed indefinitely, creating what critics view as "maintenance" rather than true recovery.

Conventional treatment approaches typically operate within the "disease model" of addiction, conceptualizing substance dependency as a chronic, relapsing brain disease requiring lifelong management similar to diabetes or hypertension. This framework, promoted by organizations like the American Society of Addiction Medicine, characterizes addiction as primarily driven by neurobiological alterations that permanently change brain function, creating an irreversible condition where recovery is defined as managed stability rather than resolution. While this model has helped reduce stigma by framing addiction in medical terms, it potentially undermines recovery potential by instilling beliefs that addictive behaviors are beyond personal control and that permanent dependency on either substances or treatment systems is inevitable.

A more recent trend involves psychiatric polypharmacy—the simultaneous prescription of multiple psychoactive medications beyond opioid replacements. Patients in MAT programs frequently receive additional prescriptions for benzodiazepines to manage anxiety, antidepressants for mood symptoms, sleep medications for insomnia, and stimulants for attention or energy issues.

The side effects and limitations of medication-based approaches, especially when multiple psychiatric medications are used, present significant challenges for long-term recovery. Methadone commonly produces constipation, excessive sweating, sexual dysfunction, and cardiac rhythm abnormalities, while potentially creating stronger physical dependency than the original opioids it replaces. Buprenorphine, while generally better tolerated, still causes headaches, insomnia, nausea, and potential liver damage with extended use. Naltrexone carries risks of hepatotoxicity and severe depression in some individuals. With the addition of antidepressants and other medications, critics suggest the overall effect is to make an individual dependent on other substances rather than addressing the underlying issues.

In contrast to medication-centered approaches, holistic recovery models emphasize addressing the complete person—physically, mentally, and spiritually—without creating new chemical dependencies. These comprehensive methodologies prioritize restoring natural balance through nutritional support, physical activity, targeted detoxification, and skills development that builds internal resources for managing emotions and stress. Rather than viewing addiction as an incurable disease requiring indefinite management, holistic models operate from the perspective that complete recovery is achievable when the root causes of dependency are effectively addressed.

Narconon's Unique Drug-Free Approach

Unlike traditional views of addiction as an incurable disease, Narconon demonstrates that opioid dependency can be overcome. While many programs typically substitute medications like methadone or buprenorphine, Narconon's drug-free approach focuses on eliminating stored toxins through specialized sauna detoxification. This process directly addresses the physical basis of persistent cravings—a key factor in relapse—while comprehensive life skills training rebuilds the mental and emotional foundation for lasting recovery.

Narconon offers a completely drug-free path to recovery from opioid addiction. Our program addresses both physical cravings and dependence through a comprehensive approach that creates lasting change.

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

Key components of the Narconon program include:

• Truly Drug-Free Rehabilitation: No replacement medications or psychiatric drugs are used to treat addiction
• New Life Detoxification: Combines sauna therapy, moderate exercise, and targeted nutrition to eliminate stored drug residues that trigger cravings
• Addressing Root Causes: Identifies and resolves the underlying issues behind addiction instead of just managing symptoms
• Nutritional Support: Restores biochemical balance disrupted by opioid use
• Life Skills Development: Practical training in communication, ethical decision-making, and relapse prevention strategies

By addressing both physical and psychological aspects of addiction without replacement medications, Narconon graduates emerge as empowered individuals ready to build new, drug-free lives—not as perpetual "recovering addicts."

Every other rehab I would need trazadone or something else to put me to sleep. I know some people out there judge Narconon for being nontraditional, but as someone who went to a dozen traditional rehabs, this is the program that worked for me, and I am now sober for over 6 years.”

A.P., Narconon Graduate

Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Addiction

Recognizing opioid addiction early can be life-saving, as these powerful substances create dependency more rapidly than most other drugs. The following signs may indicate that recreational use or medical use has progressed to addiction.

Physical Symptoms

Opioids affect multiple body systems, producing distinctive physical signs that become more pronounced as dependency develops:

• Constricted pupils (pinpoint pupils)
• Respiratory depression (slowed, shallow breathing)
• Extreme drowsiness or nodding off mid-conversation
• Sudden weight loss and poor appetite
• Constipation and digestive issues
• Increased tolerance requiring higher doses
• Withdrawal symptoms when not using (sweating, nausea, muscle aches, insomnia)
• Track marks or injection sites (if using intravenously)
• Frequent nausea or vomiting
• Itching or scratching

Cognitive Signs

Opioid addiction significantly impacts brain function, affecting thinking patterns and mental states:

• Intense cravings when not using
• Inability to feel pleasure from normal activities (anhedonia)
• Mood swings and emotional instability
• Anxiety or panic when supply runs low
• Preoccupation with obtaining and using opioids
• Continued use despite negative consequences
• Depression or suicidal thoughts
• Impaired judgment and decision-making
• Memory problems and difficulty concentrating

Behavioral Indicators

The behavioral changes associated with opioid dependency often affect every aspect of a person's life:

• Doctor shopping (visiting multiple physicians for prescriptions)
• Obtaining opioids through illegal means
• Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home
• Social withdrawal and isolation
• Financial difficulties due to spending on opioids
• Secretive behavior and lying about drug use
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Legal problems related to drug use
• Declining personal hygiene and appearance
• Relationship conflicts due to drug use

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If you recognize these signs in yourself or someone you care about, seeking professional help immediately is crucial. The potency of many opioids means that each use carries significant overdose risk, making this addiction particularly urgent to address.

How to Identify Opioids in Your Home

Many households unknowingly harbor opioid medications, creating potential risks for family members, particularly children and adolescents. Conducting a thorough inventory of your home can help identify these substances and ensure proper handling and disposal.

Unused Prescription Medications

Prescription opioids are often stored and forgotten in:

• Medicine cabinets and bathroom drawers
• Bedside tables and bedroom dresser drawers
• Kitchen cabinets or pantries
• Purses, backpacks, and travel bags

Common prescription opioids to look for include:

• Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco, Lortab)
• Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet, Roxicodone)
• Morphine (MS Contin, Kadian)
• Codeine (often in cough syrups or combined with acetaminophen)
• Fentanyl (Duragesic patches, Actiq lozenges)
• Tramadol (Ultram, ConZip)

Prescription opioids appear in various forms including tablets, capsules, syrups, lozenges, and patches. The packaging typically includes warning labels about potential for dependence, driving restrictions, and avoiding alcohol. Many have distinctive markings and colors – for example, Percocet tablets may be round and yellow, blue, or white with numbers imprinted on them, while fentanyl patches appear as clear adhesive squares with labeling indicating strength.

Proper Disposal Methods

Improper disposal of opioids can lead to diversion, accidental ingestion, or environmental contamination. The FDA and DEA recommend:

Take-Back Programs:

• DEA-sponsored National Prescription Drug Take-Back Days (typically held twice yearly)
• Permanent collection sites at local pharmacies, hospitals, or law enforcement facilities
• Mail-back programs available through certain pharmacies

Home Disposal (when take-back options aren't available):

• Mix medications with unpalatable substances like coffee grounds, dirt, or cat litter
• Place mixture in a sealed container before throwing in household trash
• Remove all personal information from prescription labels before disposing of containers
• Do NOT flush opioids unless they appear on the FDA's flush list (includes fentanyl patches)

Identifying Different Types of Opioids

Understanding the appearance of various opioids can help you identify them:

Prescription Tablets/Capsules:

• Usually have manufacturer's markings, numbers, or logos imprinted on them
• Colors vary by medication and strength (commonly white, blue, yellow, or green)
• Many combination products (like Percocet) have distinctive shapes or colors

Liquid Formulations:

• Prescription cough syrups containing codeine often have a purple or red tint
• Oral solutions of morphine or oxycodone typically come in measured-dose bottles

Transdermal Patches:

• Fentanyl patches are clear or slightly translucent adhesive squares
• Usually packaged in individually sealed pouches with clear warnings

Illicit Opioids (which might be found in a home with someone struggling with addiction):

• Heroin typically appears as a white to brown powder or black sticky substance
• Illicitly manufactured pills often attempt to mimic prescription medications but may have inconsistent appearance,
color, or markings
• Counterfeit pills may be unevenly colored or crumbly compared to pharmaceutical versions

Regularly checking your home for these substances and properly securing necessary medications can significantly reduce the risk of misuse, accidental ingestion, or diversion.

Health Risks and Effects of Long-Term Opioid Abuse

Long-term opioid use damages virtually every system in the body, often causing health problems that persist even after drug use stops. While most people understand the immediate risk of overdose, many are unaware of the extensive damage these substances cause throughout the body over time. The following health impacts can significantly reduce both quality of life and lifespan:

• Respiratory depression and overdose risks: Opioids suppress breathing, potentially causing death
• Cardiovascular damage: Including irregular heartbeat, reduced blood pressure, and heart valve infections
• Gastrointestinal problems: Severe constipation, malnutrition, and digestive disruption
• Liver and kidney damage: From processing the drugs and their contaminants, potentially leading to organ failure
• Cognitive impairment and neurological damage: Memory loss, decision-making difficulties, and white matter deterioration
• Immune system suppression: Increasing vulnerability to various infections and diseases
• Infection risks: Including HIV, hepatitis, endocarditis, and abscesses (especially among intravenous users)
• Hormonal imbalances: Including reduced testosterone in men and menstrual irregularities in women

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

Who Should Seek Opioid Rehab

Anyone showing signs of opioid dependency should consider professional rehabilitation. You may need help if you've tried to quit but couldn't, find yourself needing larger doses for the same effect, continue using despite negative consequences, or face legal or work problems related to your use.

Using opioids alongside other substances like alcohol or benzodiazepines dramatically increases overdose risk, making immediate intervention critical. Don't wait until "rock bottom" – with opioids, that point could be fatal.

Opioid addiction affects entire families, not just users. When relationships break down, trust erodes, and family members experience anxiety, depression, or financial hardship because of someone's opioid use, it's time to seek help.

Early intervention is especially important with opioids because:

• Dependency develops rapidly, often before the person recognizes the problem
• The margin between a regular dose and lethal overdose is dangerously narrow
• Each use of illicit opioids carries unpredictable risks due to variable potency
• Recovery outcomes improve significantly when treatment begins before severe health, legal, or social consequences develop

Narconon's comprehensive program addresses not just the physical aspects of opioid dependency but also rebuilds the life skills and relationships damaged during active addiction.

One of the main reasons I chose Narconon was because it was different from the programs I had seen before. I wanted something that would help me do more than simply stop using drugs. I wanted to understand why I had been using them in the first place and learn how to handle life's challenges without turning back to drugs.”

N.M., Narconon Graduate

What Happens During Opioid Rehab

Effective opioid rehabilitation creates a structured environment where individuals can break free from the cycle of addiction while developing the tools needed for lasting recovery. Unlike many substances, opioids create particularly intense physical dependence and persistent cravings that require specialized treatment approaches to successfully overcome them.

Opioid addiction traps individuals in a cycle where avoiding withdrawal becomes the primary motivation, overshadowing all other life priorities. Professional rehabilitation interrupts this cycle by providing:

• Medical assessment during the critical withdrawal phase when needed
• A safe, drug-free environment removed from triggers and access
• Expert guidance through each stage of physical and psychological recovery
• Comprehensive education about addiction mechanisms and recovery principles

Narconon's Comprehensive Rehabilitation Process

The Narconon program addresses opioid addiction through a progressive, holistic approach:

• Withdrawal Assistance: Our specially trained withdrawal specialists provide round-the-clock care during the initial detoxification phase, using nutritional support, gentle physical assists, and emotional encouragement to make this challenging transition as comfortable as possible.
• New Life Detoxification: The purpose of the New Life Detoxification is to help the body eliminate residual drug compounds while reducing their lingering effects, including drug cravings. For opioid users, this step is particularly crucial as it addresses the persistent physical basis for cravings that often lead to relapse.
• Cognitive Clarity Program: Interactive exercises help restore communication skills, awareness, and mental focus that may have been compromised during addiction.
• Life Skills Training: Participants learn essential tools for maintaining sobriety, including identifying and addressing the root causes of their addiction, developing ethical decision-making frameworks, and creating practical strategies for navigating triggers and high-risk situations.

Addressing Opioids' Unique Challenge: Persistent Cravings

What sets Narconon apart is our comprehensive approach to the particularly intense and persistent cravings associated with opioid addiction. While conventional treatments often rely on replacement medications that maintain opioid dependence, Narconon's drug-free methodology addresses cravings at their source through:

• Thorough physical detoxification that removes residual drug metabolites
• Nutritional protocols that restore biochemical balance
• Skills development that creates new neural pathways and healthy coping mechanisms
• Identification and resolution of underlying issues driving addictive behavior

By addressing both the physical and psychological dimensions of addiction, Narconon creates a foundation for genuine freedom from opioids—not just temporary symptom management, but true recovery that empowers individuals to build fulfilling, drug-free lives.

When I say the sauna detoxification changed me forever, I mean it. Within 2 weeks in the sauna, all of my cravings for drugs completely went away. I wasn’t thinking about them, dreaming about them, or talking about them. I NEVER thought that was possible. I had been a craving-driven addict. The main reason I could not stop using after I started was because my cravings were so bad. And just like that, they were gone. I had both my mind and my power of choice back. The me I had lost many years before, I found again.”

J.G., Narconon Graduate

Opioid Withdrawal: What to Expect

Opioid withdrawal typically begins 8-24 hours after the last dose, presenting as a cluster of intense physical and psychological symptoms including severe muscle pain, profuse sweating, gastrointestinal distress, anxiety, and overwhelming cravings. Due to the potency of many opioids, especially synthetic versions like fentanyl, these symptoms can be particularly severe and potentially dangerous without proper supervision.

At Narconon, our withdrawal specialists provide 24/7 supportive care without substitute medications, focusing instead on nutritional supplementation to address severe deficiencies, physical comfort measures, and emotional support. Before starting the withdrawal phase of the Narconon program, participants must be cleared by a doctor before beginning the process. If there are underlying medical issues or a history of extreme withdrawal symptoms, a separate medical detox may be necessary.

I weighed probably close to 90 pounds when I got to Narconon. The withdrawal was so easy. And telling a junkie that they're about to go through a drug-free withdrawal is very scary. But, it was the easiest withdrawal I've ever had.”

D.R., Narconon Graduate

Advantages of Narconon's Drug-Free Opioid Rehab

Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) represents one of the greatest challenges in opioid recovery, with symptoms including intense cravings, sleep disturbances, emotional volatility, and cognitive impairment persisting for months or even years after cessation. Unlike conventional approaches that merely manage these symptoms with replacement medications, Narconon directly addresses the physiological foundations of PAWS through its innovative New Life Detoxification Program.

Key benefits of Narconon's approach include:

• Elimination of fat-stored drug residues that trigger persistent cravings
• Restoration of natural biochemical balance without replacement drugs
• Development of practical life skills instead of indefinite medication management
• Addressing root causes of addiction rather than just symptoms
• Building genuine independence rather than transferring dependency to treatment providers

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

Benefits of Residential Rehabilitation for Opioid Addiction

Residential rehabilitation provides significant advantages over outpatient treatment for opioid addiction, particularly when the program offers extended care. Research consistently shows that longer treatment durations (60+ days) substantially improve recovery outcomes for opioid dependency compared to brief interventions or outpatient services.

Key benefits of long-term residential treatment include:

• Complete separation from drug-using environments and triggers during vulnerable early recovery
• 24/7 supervision and support during withdrawal and post-acute withdrawal phases
• Protection against relapse when cravings are most intense
• Sufficient time to address both physical dependency and underlying psychological factors
• Community reinforcement of recovery-oriented behaviors and thinking patterns
• Opportunity to practice new skills in a supportive environment before facing real-world challenges

Narconon's residential program is specifically designed to maximize these benefits through its extended duration and comprehensive approach, creating a foundation for sustainable recovery rather than merely interrupting the addiction cycle.

People using drugs are not being themselves, they’re not being who they really are—they don’t want to be addicts. The Narconon program works. It’s not about managing addiction; it’s about ending it. The New Life Detox and the training drills are powerful life-saving tools for long-term survival in the real world. It saved my life. ”

K.Z., Narconon Graduate

What Sets Narconon Apart From Other Rehab Programs?

Decades of Experience

Narconon has been helping the addicted for the last 60 years. It is one of the longest-running drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs in the world. Since the program's inception in 1966, the Narconon program has evolved to meet the increasing demands for workable drug and alcohol rehabilitation as substance abuse has escalated to the epidemic it is today.

Working with people to overcome addiction for six decades has afforded the organization the benefit of isolating the most common physical and mental barriers to meaningful recovery and relapse. It has been discovered that long-term, meaningful recovery can be achieved without the use of substitute medications during the rehabilitation process or after. Narconon has embodied this principle since the program’s inception.

Unique Rehabilitation Methodology

Narconon's approach is unique in addressing the most common barriers to an addict’s long-term recovery: physical cravings, depression, and guilt.

The program employs a comprehensive strategy that includes nutritional supplementation, sauna therapy, and exercise. These three factors work synergistically to remove drug residues and toxins from the body. This helps eliminate the cravings and restores good health, energy, and well-being.

Next, the person undergoes thorough communication and confront exercises and a detailed life skills training program, giving them the self-control and tools they need to face up to their responsibilities and build a drug-free future.

Further, to be successful, a rehabilitation program should help the person face their past harmful actions and transgressions and enable them to clean up the wreckage of their current life that has resulted from addiction and dishonesty. This can be the most difficult part of the recovery process. At Narconon, the final step enables the addict to perform a complete and honest moral inventory and a life plan that includes repairing any damaged relationships that resulted from their unethical behavior while on drugs or alcohol.

Before making your choice of drug rehab centers, learn more about The Narconon Program.

The New Life Detoxification (sauna) and the Objective processes were really tough to get through, but they helped me a lot. The sauna helped me get rid of all of the toxins and made me feel like I was in a better state physically. Then the objectives helped me feel like a normal person and got me back in touch with reality.

I have been through a lot since completing the Narconon program 9 years ago, but I was able to overcome all of it with what I learned there. I have a happy life with my wife and a successful career.”

J.W. 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 addicted person to relapse.

There are no drugs administered as part of the Narconon program. It’s a unique, drug-free approach that helps each person repair the damage done by addiction as well as handle the reasons they started using drugs in the first place. The emphasis is on restoring each person to their natural abilities and brightness that existed before drugs were ever used.

If you’re looking for rehab, find out how this program is different and offers a lasting solution to sobriety without the need to rely on substitute medications.

How the Narconon Program Creates Lasting Sobriety

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 withdrawal.
2. New Life Detoxification is a process employing moderate exercise and sweating in a sauna to help flush out old accumulated drug toxins.
3. Objectives are 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 protect a person 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 rehab program has nearly 60 years of success behind it.  Narconon’s success is measured in lives saved, with the majority of graduates going on to lead happy, healthy drug-free lives.

Whether you have tried multiple rehabs before or this is your 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 addiction.

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Narconon’s Comprehensive Drug-Free Opioid Addiction Treatment Process

Learn the details about every phase of the Narconon drug-free opioid addiction treatment program. Its holistic and healthy approach to rehabilitation eliminates the need for substitute medications like methadone and buprenorphine. Instead of continual medication or group meetings, it’s possible to break free from addiction. The program provides individuals with skills and tools that support a drug-free life.

The Narconon Program consists of four distinct phases.

1. Drug-Free Withdrawal. Before beginning this drug-free withdrawal, all participants arriving for the Narconon program are required to have a medical assessment first. If the physician decides that it is necessary, Narconon staff refer the person to a medically supervised detoxification as a prerequisite to beginning this rehab program. This drug-free, nonmedical withdrawal helps the individual to come off drugs 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 lessen aches and pains. Carefully planned vitamin and mineral formulas further calm the body and begin to repair the damage done by opioids.

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 eliminate toxic residues from the body, which helps eliminate physical cravings. Author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard discovered that drug residues can remain trapped in the body’s fatty tissues and may be reactivated even years after the person has ceased taking drugs. This step consists of running to stimulate circulation, spending time sweating in a low-heat, dry sauna, and proper nutrition including specific vitamins, minerals, and oils in exact quantities. The purpose of the New Life Detoxification is to help rid the body of drug residues 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. Drugs dull a person’s awareness and impair 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 can extrovert the person’s attention from disturbing memories associated with drug use. Those who have done Objectives report that they are able to view the world around them clearly, often for the first time.

Objectives were a changing point in my life. I mean, from now on I will say my life before Objectives and my life after Objectives. I’m looking forward to sharing this program with everyone I know because I know it will help them like it helped me.”

4. Life Skills Courses. Finally, it’s time to address the reasons a person turned to drugs in the first place and to give them the skills to stay sober. These tasks are accomplished through practical coursework that instills vital sober living skills. These are skills that people struggling with substance abuse have often lost sight of—or never had. There are three courses:

• Overcoming Ups & Downs in Life Course: In this course, the person learns how to identify true friends and positive people and how to isolate those likely to lead to trouble. They learn how poor decisions regarding friends and acquaintances damaged their lives in the past 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. The person learns to take responsibility for their drug use by resolving problems without compromising their own personal integrity.
• 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. This course educates individuals in how to make the right choices.

Each step of the program brought new successes, and with every book and exercise, I regained pieces of myself that I thought were lost forever. For the first time in years, I felt hopeful and motivated to create a better future.

“Narconon not only saved my life but helped me become the man I am today. I am eternally thankful for the program and the second chance it gave me to live a meaningful, fulfilled life.”

D.S., Narconon Graduate

Graduate Aftercare: As the Narconon program winds up, each person spends time with a specially trained Graduate Officer who begins by reviewing the entire program with the individual. When this is complete, and the results of the program have been confirmed, the Graduate Officer helps the person plan their return to home, work, and study. Together, they craft an individual plan of action that addresses any situations that may still exist in the home environment.

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

Taking the First Step to Opioid Recovery

When you call Narconon about opioid treatment, you'll speak with a compassionate admissions counselor who understands addiction and maintains complete confidentiality. This initial conversation typically includes a brief assessment of your situation, an explanation of our program, and addressing any questions or concerns you may have.

Your counselor will discuss practical matters like program duration, financial considerations, and insurance verification. We'll work with you to explore payment options, including insurance benefits, financing plans, or family assistance if needed.

Taking that first step is often the hardest part of recovery, but our admissions team is ready to guide you through each phase of the enrollment process with respect and understanding.

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 Resources

Narconon operates rehabilitation centers in multiple countries across four continents, making effective opioid treatment accessible to individuals worldwide. For a complete list of our facilities, visit narconon.org/locations/.

For reviews from graduates and families including those who have achieved long-term sobriety that demonstrate the effectiveness of our program, explore narconon.org/blog/narconon-reviews/.

Additional educational resources about opioid addiction are available at narconon.org/drug-rehab/opioid-addiction/support.html.

If you or a loved one needs immediate assistance with opioid addiction, call our confidential helpline.