Narconon Arrowhead’s rehabilitation program is comprised of an 8 step progressive recovery process. The Narconon Arrowhead program is a practical common sense approach to recovery in which participants are taught the life skills and problem solving methods that enables them to understand the cause of their addiction, how they will repair the damage that was created in their life because of the addiction and what their plan of action will be to build a new and self-satisfying drug-free life.
ABOUT NARCONON ARROWHEAD
Narconon Arrowhead provides a unique residential substance abuse treatment program for adults struggling with substance abuse. The program is based on teachings from the founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard. The facility provides a non-religious, non-faith form of rehabilitation although it shares commonalities with Scientology.
Narconon Arrowhead in Canadian, Okla., is the program’s flagship residential facility and has been operating for more than five decades, in a lakeside setting on more than 250 acres. Narconon addresses addiction as a challenge which is not incurable. Detox services are available on-site.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Narconon Arrowhead uses a combination of techniques and technologies to facilitate rehabilitation through four key “steps”. The treatment process begins with a drug-free detox program. During detox, clients are denied access to any drugs as a means of ensuring a complete and thorough detox. Clients are assigned a personal withdrawal assistant who applies different techniques and nutrition management methods to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Once clients complete the detox process, they transition into the New Life Detox phase.
In the second phase of treatment, clients begin the physical component of treatment that focuses on physical activity to cleanse clients’ bodies. Clients participate in physical exercise as well as sauna treatments to remove trapped toxins from their bodies. During this treatment, clients also participate in a specialized nutrition and hydration program to keep their hydration levels properly balanced.
In the third phase of treatment, clients begin the educational component of treatment Narconon arrowhead calls it “The Objectives” which is designed to educate clients about addiction, coping methods, and other sober living skills. Clients are cognitively reconditioned so that they are able to cope with previous experiences, identify problem behaviors, and address ongoing concerns that contribute to their substance abuse issues. This phase of treatment focuses on creating a positive mental state for clients that will allow them to focus on their recovery.
In the final phase of treatment, clients begin to learn new sober living skills that will allow them to successfully transition back into the community. Clients learn more coping skills as well as ways of developing a sober lifestyle. Clients are also encouraged to develop a support network in their local community that is comprised of their families and community members.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Information regarding Narconon Arrowhead’s staff is limited. A nursing staff is available 24/7 to address the medical needs of clients. The nature of the program implies that various activity leaders, nutritionists, and experienced detox managers are present throughout treatment. However, it is not possible to confirm the entire makeup of the facility’s staff.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The wilderness resort-like facility at Narconon Arrowhead has space for 100 residents. The interior of the facility includes a wide range of treatment-specialized areas including a treadmill gym, saunas, a common meeting area that resembles a church, and various other lavish treatment areas. The exterior of the facility is surrounded by forest and isolates the facility from the surrounding area. Clients may have access to outdoor amenities including hiking trails and outdoor lounge areas.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
At the time of this writing, ten alumni provided feedback about Narconon Arrowhead. The feedback was mixed, though there is certainly a trend of more recent reviews becoming increasingly more positive.
The majority of alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com submitted critical reviews. Six of ten respondents would not recommend the facility and only one indicated it was worth its cost. Half did not complete the program. Most alumni mentioned Scientology in their reviews, some as a warning to unaware potential clients, some as more neutral observation, and one denying its influence at the facility.
In written reviews, alumni tended to describe their experience as uncomfortable. For instance, alum S.K. reported “Staring at someone without moving for up to 2 hours.” Another alum, J.H.R. wrote: “The basis ids good for recovery, but they are all about the money.”
Five other alumni reviews represented the treatment more positively, albeit with some caveats. Alum J.C. wrote: “The program itself is very different than many other recovery methods, and much more effective.” Alum J.D.J. wrote: “The staff here was very helpful and completely dedicated to improving peoples lives and showing them the way to live a drug free life.”
On Google, the facility received an average of 4.3 out of five stars from 38 reviews to date.[1] Many of the alumni praised the staff, faith-based focus, and the treatment’s effectiveness. In a representative review, alum Max wrote: “I regained my life back at Narconon, the staff is amazing and very helpful, they genuinely care about your well being and they will equipped you with tool to make better decision in the future, the facilities are of top quality as well as the food, definitely the best decision me and my family ever did for my future.”
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
At the time of this writing, 10 loved ones submitted feedback about Narconon Arrowhead. The feedback was positive.
The loved ones gave 3.7 out of five stars to the quality of family involvement, and nearly all described both the effects and the approach of the program positively. Structure, helpfulness, open communication, and complete detoxification were cited as strengths.
One satisfied relative did identify a weakness as “Owned by Scientologists.” Another family member wrote in an exceptionally negative review that none of the staff had informed them about the religious connection.
WHAT STAFF SAY
One employee provided a survey response to Best-rehabs.com. They recommend the facility, rating honesty and the experienced medical staff at four out of five stars. The staff member rated the addiction staff’s experience three out of five stars.
CONCLUSION
Treatment costs between $15,000 and $30,000 for 90 days and no insurance plans are accepted.
Numerous lawsuits have been filed against Narconon Arrowhead in recent years. In 2014, the Tulsa World reported on a suit filed by a national association of counselors alleging a false claim of accreditation. The article noted that among 10 other lawsuits, “wrongful deaths, negligence, [and] fraud” were claimed.
An Oklahoma-based independent journalism website, NonDoc, ran an October 2015 story further addressing new licensing, as well as mentioning at least three deaths at the facility since 2011.