Narconon Blog

While the majority of addiction treatment programs throughout the country have been using antidepressants and similar drugs to treat depression and other addiction-related symptoms manifested by their enrollees, the Narconon drug rehabilitation program has demonstrated its efficacy in dealing with these problems in a drug-free manner.

According to an article recently published in Newsweek, the number of Americans on antidepressants doubled from about 13.3 million in 1996 to 27 million in 2005. During that period the pharmaceutical marketing machines raked in billions of dollars, yet a researcher in the article was quoted as saying, “The belief that antidepressants can cure depression chemically is simply wrong.”

The researcher, Irving Kirsch, said that his study of both published and unpublished clinical trials of antidepressants found that 82 percent of patients benefit as well from a plecebo, making negligible the difference in taking an antidepressant. In addition, when someone weighs in the long list of toxic side effects from the mind-altering drugs, one could surmise that patients might be better off not taking the drugs in the first place.

Under alcohol and other drug addiction, depression is a natural symptom that most substance abusers feel at some point. This may be the result of the chemical alteration their body endures and the highs and lows associated, or due to the mental anguish and guilt of having committed many harmful acts to themselves and others during the addiction. Either way, they are very real feelings to these people that need to be addressed at source, not chemically camouflaged.

For over four decades, Narconon has been successfully using drug-free methods to deal with the real causes of such symptoms. One important component is to fully detoxify the body by eliminating stored chemical residues that alter its chemical balance. Through a unique and intense physical cleansing process based on research by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard, program participants are able to flush out old toxins with the aid of healthy, natural supplements, which they need in any case to begin to feel better. These include essential minerals, vitamins and oils.

In addition, Narconon’s responsibility-based approach uses cognitive learning to address behavior. Graduates of the program, whether on antidepressants before or not, do not feel the need to take any such medications after completion.

In the words of one of tens of thousands of Narconon graduates, “Before I came to Narconon, I had all the classic signs of major depression, my doctor wanted to put me on medication. But today I am happy to report I have been drug- and alcohol-free for 10 years and couldn’t ever imagine having to take a drug to try and feel better. I credit that new-found life to Narconon without question.”

For more information on Narconon’s drug-free approach, or to find a program near you, visit www.narconon.org today.

Here, find a video of the history of the Narconon program.