ABOUT NARCONON FREEDOM CENTER
Set on 10 acres of land in Albion, Mich., the Narconon Freedom Center (NFC) offers residential substance abuse treatment for adults. Clients in need of a medical detox process must complete detox before entering treatment at NFC, though non-medical detox services are offered on-site.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Narconon is not a 12-step program and does not adhere to the addiction-as-a-diseased model of treatment. The center’s website notes the treatment center uses the “evidence-based, drug-free approach to rehabilitation developed by author L. Ron Hubbard.”
Ridding the body of harmful toxins is one of the key elements of the program. Each client is assigned a personal “Withdrawal Specialist” to help them with nutrition and supplements to ease through the discomfort of detox. Drugs of any kind are not allowed during treatment.
Clients engage in what the facility calls “New Life Detoxification,” which combines a carefully monitored regimen of hydration and nutrition with exercise and dry-heat sauna sweat sessions.
After the detox process, the treatment center’s staff strives to identify and address the underlying causes of addiction. By addressing the underlying causes, the treatment team attempts to remove them from each client’s life to prevent future addiction behavior.
This approach focuses on freeing “those enslaved by drugs and alcohol to build new lives filled with purpose and productivity.” Treatment time varies depending on each individual, but typically lasts 12 weeks.
Next, clients participate in what Narconon calls “objectives,” which are exercises designed to bring the client’s attention from the past into the present. Being in “present time” is crucial to successful substance abuse recovery, according to Narconon’s methodology. Other treatment activities include life skills courses and instructional videos.
Aftercare protocols include periodic follow-ups with support staff to reinforce sober living skills learned in the treatment program.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Narconon facilities are largely operated by individuals experienced in the Narconon treatment modality. Many staff members are former clients. The one former client surveyed by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing gave the staff’s level of training and experience five out of five stars, while the sole loved one polled awarded five stars for the level of staff support.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Images on the facility’s website indicated a tranquil setting, and the facility notes that their “clean, comfortable guest rooms provide the rest that is an essential part of the program.” The two individuals polled to date gave four- and five-star ratings for the facility’s cleanliness and upkeep.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Rebecca, the one alum polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing, gave NFC a positive review. She gave the facility five out of five stars for its holistic offerings, visitor policy, and the likelihood she’s recommend the facility. “I was happy the treatment plan was extremely personalized and that the underlying issues of my addiction were finally being discussed and solved,” she wrote. However, she gave three stars for its faith-based focus, treatment for co-occurring disorders, and its counseling options.
On Google, Narconon Freedom Center received an average of 4.3 out of five stars from 39 reviews. Except for handful of reviewers who were critical of the facility’s affiliation with Scientology, most of the feedback was positive. Many of the alumni found the program highly effective and the staff very supportive.
On Yelp, the facility had five perfect five out of five stars to date. As one alum R.R. wrote, it’s a good “alternative to 12 Step.”
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The sole loved one polled about the Narconon Freedom Center by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing also offered positive feedback. They gave the facility five out of five stars for counseling options and its level of family involvement. The loved one gave only three out of five stars for its leisure opportunities and pricing. “Overall a good program,” the loved one wrote.
WHAT STAFF SAY
On Indeed, Narconon Freedom Center earned 2.4 out of five stars from 14 reviewers to date. Overall, the feedback from staff members was much more critical than the feedback from alumni. Current and former employees described a “Harsh work environment” with “micromanaging” management.
FINANCING
Narconon Freedom Center accepts most insurance providers, including UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, and Humana.
CONCLUSION
Several lawsuits have been leveled against Narconon alleging that it is a Scientology-run program. The suites claim that clients were introduced to the teachings of the Church of Scientology without a prior disclosure of the affiliation. Narconon facilities have also been sued for wrongful death and fraud in the past.
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