There are some scientists and government officials who describe addiction as an incurable disease like heart disease or diabetes. This description justifies and encourages the use of medications such as methadone or suboxone for treatment. But the success of drug-free addiction treatment programs disproves this theoretical definition of addiction.

Addiction is a condition characterized by repeated, compulsive seeking and use of drugs, alcohol or other similar substances despite adverse social, mental of physical consequences. It is usually accompanies by psychological and physical dependence on the abused substance and the appearance of withdrawal symptoms when the addictive substance is rapidly decreased or terminated.

When addiction exists, the drug use controls the individual rather than the individual controlling the usage.

There are very specific factors that hold an addiction in place. When these factors are thoroughly addressed, an addict can recover from the terrible hold addiction has on his soul and his body, and he can once again enjoy a productive life.

When a person is addicted to drugs they often times display drug behavior. Drug behavior is the modified behavior that the individual displays when they are addicted to drugs.

There are many general drug behaviors that indicate that a person is addicted to drugs. These include a change in personality and physical appearance as well as an increased amount of attention on obtaining and using drugs. The drug user will lose interested in anything and anyone that doesn’t have to do with using drugs. They will start to lose things in their lives as a result of following through with responsibilities.

Other drug using behavior that you may see is that the individual will stop communicating with non-drug users and may hide things that they are doing from family members and others who are close to the addict. The person may also deny the drug use and become resentful with those that attempt to help him/her.

There are also specific drug behaviors when a person is hooked on a specific drug. For example, when someone is using an opiate; i.e. a drug like heroin or OxyContin or a prescription pain medication their drug behavior will be that they will be in a relaxed and euphoric state. And, when someone is using a stimulant, drugs like methamphetamine or crack cocaine, the drug behavior will be increased energy and paranoia.

If you or someone you know is displaying drug behavior call Narconon now at 1-866-447-4799

No, the only affiliation is that the Narconon drug rehab technology and the religion of Scientology are based on the works of the same man, L. Ron Hubbard. Narconon is a separate public benefit, non-profit corporation. It is not a religious organization and is non-denominational in its view of religion. The Narconon organization supports and acknowledges all religions that work to eradicate substance abuse, but is not corporately part of any religious organization.

The Narconon drug treatment program is unique in several ways. Most treatment centers use a combination of 12-step recovery and group therapy in an effort to handle addiction. While some people respond to this type of treatment, many do not. The Narconon drug treatment program addresses three (3) areas that are not intensively treated in more traditional programs. These areas are:

1. Physical Detoxification- Long-term use of addictive drugs can cause an accumulation of drug residues and metabolites in the body. These residues can remain in the body for years, causing drug and alcohol cravings and drug-induced depression. Narconon uses the intensive method of detoxification to remove these residues, resulting in an individual who is free of the harmful physical effects of mind-alerting drugs.
2. Life Skills- Many people do not realize that some of the most common abilities and skills which they use everyday are not instinctual, but are learned. These are all areas in which drug addicts and alcoholics have been found to be deficient. These are not instinctive abilities. They require training and practice to perfect. The Narconon drug rehab program gives heavy emphasis to life-skills training. Some of the areas addressed are communication skills, study skills and applying ethical principles in everyday life. The result is an individual more comfortable with his life and less likely to be overwhelmed by it. The practice of these skills is extremely therapeutic in and of themselves.
3. Other Therapeutic Procedures- There are a number of therapeutic procedures unique to the Narconon program. These therapies are designed to free a person from the guilt, remorse and regret of past actions, and to restore the self-control that is inevitably sacrificed when a person becomes addicted to drugs.