WebSynanon sought religious status in 1974, with Diedrich as its leader. A business illiterate, I dont know an invoice from a purchase order or the difference between shipped and delivered. In 1972 he reported on the case of a 12 year old boy who had been admitted, along with older clients, to a second generation Synanon called The Odyssey House in New York City. Once again, her counselors said that she was faking when she complained. Below is a chart made by Maia in Mother Jones: A. Orange on his website lists interesting quotes: Tough Love: Abuse of a type particularly gratifying to the abuser, in that it combines the pleasures of sadism with those of self-righteousness. What lies did we believe wholeheartedly?". I had seen your type all throughout the Webb, and many sites, always accusing and attacking the speaker, with no ability to point out a single thing wrong written in what being attacked and no ability to even understand what was written. Ex-members have no idea how close they all came to being arrested for conspiracy of RICO violations. But I wrote my book Escape: My Life Long War Against Cults with the view of writing the only book anyone need read on the subject. Still, to glorify Synanon, as some do, like Yablonsky, Janzen, is to show a lack of humanity and spit in the face of the vast amount of victims of violence in Synanons own holocaust. I had gotten your phone number from Ben Parks. Did you change partners? Gina Score, 14, at the state-run juvenile prison camp at Plankinton, South Dakota, 1999 was run to death. It also provides no real therapy and is the same program for everyone. That is, she was forced to run in the summer sun until she collapsed, and then she was left laying in the hot sun until she died. But there wont be any room for the kind of people you are now. Synanon added the game and other systems of punishment to compel compliance that would be copied by many sociopaths seeking riches, as discussed below, and lead to horrors to the participants in the clones that exceeded what occurred in Synanon. Here we go!' We have multiple groups dedicated to ending the TTI (Troubled Teen Industry) as well, that work in conjunction with mine, this is how I discovered this story! By 1976 the plan to transfer the money to the Dederich family was cemented and implanted. The Hammer Podcast. (Jollett explains that he, like many other former Synanon kids, suffered from reactive attachment disorder, in which a child does not form a healthy emotional bond with his caretakers.). But generally, as to your comment, my book was not in disagreement. Some children have been placed for nothing more than marijuana smoking, and some because the programs told the parents unless they gave them the younger kid they would expel the older sibling. In Maias book it is described one woman was not even allowed to leave a teen rehab after she turned 18, the organization threatening her mother to toss out her younger child if the mother took the older one back. If I did not want comments i would not have it set up too comments. Whether a small town, island or, commune, they have a better chance for a part of the American dream than if on their own in the big city. This program was called MATRIX. I stated my views, but I gave statistics and reports to back them, most unfortunate to learn of the great tragedy that have occurred in the clones are all these years. you say the logic is faulty, but give no example and state why? Her alleged crimepetty theft. Also, if a person made that choice sincerely, that person may have a better chance of succeeding in an environment with supporting persons and ex-addicts urging of them on while removing competing problems of how to support themselvessuch as a housing, friends and a job. And back is my reply to you. in the understanding and treatment of adolescents. Podcast. Synanon was a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center and movement-turned-cult in California that existed from 1958 to 1991. Former Synanite Dr. David Deitch, then a Phoenix House director, has stated, A client must have the choice of leaving treatment, even if the youngster is on probation and the alternative is jail.(19) Richard Ashley wrote in Heroin that, The only power of decision the member retains once he enters a TC is the decision to leave. Dr. Efren Ramirez, founder of Phoenix House, has said that you dont rehabilitate a person against his will.. I think he recognized, 'Oh, is this one going to become an addict, too? Died of dehydration. TimI didnt say I was the only one to fight Synanon. I am very grateful that you have included in writing your blog about Joe Riccis version or interpetation of Synanon. "I have nightmares about my son falling down steps, I have nightmares about dropping my daughter. Experience indicates that when these counselors use an especially intrusive, aggressive approach, frequently debasing and harshly confronting clients, they may do more harm than good. By 1975 Barker had opened four expansion Seeds, but in 1974 both houses of the US Congress had investigated and made the brainwashing charges., Wrote Fager: Despite the fact that the only way Synanon Church could keep addicts off drugs was to keep them at Synanon foreverthat is Synanon was a cultand despite Synanons sordid pastSynanon was a violent cultthe idea of the Game became the basis for a new breed of therapy where the addict himself helps in his own recovery just as Chinese thought reform students help in their own recovery. And they didn't do that.". also, to write a good book, you have to think that is what you are doing or it will not be a good book. Paul Morantz The group ultimately became a cult called the Church of Synanon in the 1970s. Synanon disbanded in 1991 [6] due to members being convicted of criminal activities (including attempted murder) and retroactive loss of its tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) due to financial misdeeds, destruction of evidence, and terrorism. [7] A haunting tale of estrangement, Synanon Kid, is a coming-of-age story of hope, survival, and determination. "And probing into this world of the traumatized child. In addition, group practice becomes an anti-therapeutic factor with the T.C. And it is no wonder that almost everywhere Synanon went, Dederich picked a location that was out of zone in which he knew they would be kicked out of, allowing him to claim outrage and obtain sympathy and donations. Unfortunately, came the imitators who sold the idea it was rehabilitative and copied it leading to a much greater list of damaged individuals than Synanon could ever achieve. .relinquish all independence and subjugate themselves to these staff and senior residents, accepting humiliation and total control of their lives even to the extent of accepting complete direction of their sex lives. ***. This intrusive, assertive therapeutic style works well for a few clients but may injure many more. Professor Bellis noted that, A number of clients. I was being sincere. The effects of this type of interaction upon a fragile self-image and upon later impulse control in the world at large have not been determined. If one thought about it, does one really need to go to a rehab to stop taking pain pills or a little drinking or smoking marijuana; these were and are issues that the medical profession could not fail in guiding if one wanted to quitreducing, changing or eliminating prescriptions. In law, lawyers too much use the technique of attacking opposing counsel when they cannot attack the facts. So I went through it again to tried to erase that ambiguity and I hope you are happier with it. I witnessed a few cow boy ass kickings. And that was great. But he was tapped for his past violent tendencies and unleashed like Russell Crowe in L. And while it may be true that economics was a motivation, economics are part of the motivation for everyone on these issues. This issue obviously needs further elaboration and research, but there are suggestions that there are age limits below which this form of treatment is contraindicated. "I am not bound by the rules," Dederich said, according to a 1978 PEOPLE story. Sidney Poitier did more for race relations in one movie than most of the world combined. I wrote that cults are just microcosms of greater societies. Dawnne Takeuchi, 18, was killed when she was thrown from a semi-truck near Pagosa Springs, Colorado, in June 1994. is a different NIH had even started its own experimental synanon at the federal lockup hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. Perhaps worse, was Dederichs friendship with Caesar Chavez wherein CED convinced Caesar to live like a rich man on La Paz and import the game which led to mutiny and the downfall of the UFW. I immediately sensed he was writing a book in which he was avoiding obtaining information that might challenge his view. Many are dead, many are in prison ,and worse many roam the earth as emotional cripples from just having come in contact with Joe Ricci,and his henchmen that helped him run the Elan Corporation. A 15-year-old boy died from a staph infection at a Colorado wilderness program. As such they were just like the many other children born into the cult. A haunting tale of estrangement, Synanon Kid, is a coming-of-age story of hope, survival, and determination. A former member of Elan wrote: Elan is best described as a, sadistic, brutal, violent, soul-eating hellhole. At Elan, the Game was transformed into constant screaming and degradation and the physically rough treatment became all day violence. If you want to really learn of how the inner controls were, you can contact me to get his depositions. Fager wrote: Dr. In the introduction I asked the question was Charles Dederich just another sociopath who rose to power or was he a Jedi Knight seduced by the Dark Side. Synanons most important legacy was to fulfill sociologist Edgar Freidenberg prediction after reading Yablonskys book that the organization was punitive, brainwashed and would ultimately create a dangerous state of mind. Hopefully somedaywe get back the candidates like that; but Im not smart enough to suggest how. I dont have much to argue with what you say about the people in Synanon and do not disagree they helped others, they were there to do that. I was also impressed by stories I was told about the early days and when the Synanon website first started it had lot of anger expressed towards Dederich. But I, its a marvelous business to watch these assholes come in and fall all over themselves and try bite me in the ass. ), "You put stress on a family, unpredictable things happen, and children tend to take on different roles," Jollett says. Some had warned of the potential dangers of using synanons (game) on adults. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. If it had ended there, Synanons legacy would be far different and it would probably still be there. I would say some things are not debatable. Also true, is that my ego places me in my eyes in a higher position than others. If you examine the full context, Janzen avoided anything that might lead him to information contrary to the views he wanted to present. The study of cults can teach us the problems of nations. Others who completed the program were absorbed into the organization as low-paid or voluntary staff limited to walking around money. You would also have learned that I have been in the room with many Synanon people countless times. Aftermaththe Synanon legacy The founder, Charles Dederich, ordered his cult followers to divorce and swap partners, with more than 200 couples complying. But, Ms. Szalavitz writes, the shuttered programs simply changed their names and reopened, often with the same staff, in the same stateeven in the same building. Joe Ricci, the owner, survived the state of Illinois pulling residents out because of the abuse and beat them in court. Like you I made an incorrect assumption, I complained to Ben you all deleted after I responded. "In the case of my brother, he became the scapegoat. At his death bed, Maslow finally denounced the Human Potential Movement. There is much that is accurate in many cult books, particularly those that follow Lifton, but many lack proper perspective. Seven years before that trial Goldfarb had written a book calling for prison reform using the Synanon-style therapeutic community. Further, I wrote that the study of cults is studying a microcosm of the greater society. Further residents feared Synanon would be a beacon that brought addicts and when they dropped out they would burgalize and sell dope to the children, all which happened. (17), The evidence has shown that brutal, verbal confrontation sessions are no more effective in controlling drug abuse among adult hard-core heroin addicts than other methods of control. Others reported in 1973 that the Synanon absorbing members was retention, not rehabilitation, a result found unfortunately in many of the Synanon clones, which Synanon bragged 2,400 existed. Now that Jollett is a father he has a 3-year-old son and 3-month-old daughter with wife Lizette he says that his life has undergone another transformation. Many have the support of state agencies, because of the past publicity for Synanon, unaware of what happened in California and assuming therefor these programs worked. None of us were hardcore drug addicts. . First, while our government says that all people are equal the fact is they are not born equal. What is this thing that you think you're doing? Its just simply if your writing a book on the history of an organization and you are aware that someone filed multiple actions against it, and they tried to murder him for it, if you are a journalist you are going to interview that person. But these ideals were short lived. A few, but very few have gone out and made it. And I really try to do that," Jollett says. one, it was a hard fought battle. I was taken there by my mother. They must be lies because you cant live with any other thoughts. First touted as a rehabilitation center for addicts when it was founded in 1958, Synanon helped thousands get sober and amassed $30 million or more in assets. He was a great man and kind human being. It a very sick place for teen agers,and during my time we were mixed in with adults. CED had similar protection but blew it when he started ordering attacks and got caught on his tapes. Sometimes I think women are more revenge orientated, but it probably still comes down to the individual. Congratulations. How old were you. (c) Nov. 2012. On June 27, 1990, six weeks after the death of Michelle Sutton, 16-year-old Kristin Chase died at the Challenger wilderness camp in Utah of hyperthermia and dehydration after a 5-mile forced march in 105-degree heat. Students quickly found themselves in a new, strange, uncomfortable and often frightening world of intense group relationships and heightened, invasive and violent group therapies. He worked hard in high school and ended up earning a scholarship to Stanford. And we sort of took that on, and it's sad because it's not a real portrait of a man, it's a child's imagination of a man. Ramirez set up the synanon-based Phoenix House which hired former Synanite Ted Dibble to manage one of its centers. Despite this, despite the warnings of so many other notables, despite Art Barkers total lack of credentials and less than admirable past, The Seed received a $1.8 million U.S. government grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) soon after it opened. "Sometimes I think about this book as this primal scream, this assertion: 'This happened. Whatever value Synanon might have had, I believed then, it had been long-lost. It reasoned that success stories generally had little to do with the programs themselves. The reviewer for his section on synanons for prisoners is none other than Dr. Robert DuPont, the second White House Drug Czar and founding director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and who administered a whopping $1.8 million contract to an experimental, start-up synanon for kids-only called The Seed in Fort Lauderdale. The game and all other methods of forced confessions, real or false to conform, are the essence of Liftons brainwashing. I dont have to stay in it anymore. no Mr. Vandeman I am not deleting this as it is not as vulgar as the others. Thats the nature of our business. Synanon was not unique. The bad publicity led some supporters, Melvin and Betty Sembler of The Seed to create a copycat organization under a different name Straight Inc.but employed Du Point as a consultant. By then only 1000 out of the 12,000 claimed to have entered were there and leaving was defined as failure. But their position was based on incomplete data, in Janzen s case that was intentional. Those who chose to reject his ideas were removed. If CED had that kind of protection, he would have died a king.. In 1966 New York City Mayor John Lindsay hired Puerto Rican psychiatrist Efren Esteban Ramirez to run the citys Addiction Services Agency. In October of 1977 press conference Dan Garrett bragged that after beating the shit out of (Dinuba punks teenagers retrieving their car) we told them to tell all their friends this is just a taste of what will happen next time; and that as to the San Francisco punks we put 4 of them in the hospital. He further admitted they ran some cock suckers into a ditch and shaved their heads. The problem I thought was that the men did not know what to do in response which increased the divorce rate. And while in 1978, he noted, Synanon publicity reported 20,000 people had gone through its doors, they were exiting at even a higher speed. But it is a calculated risk we take. I'm going to get up at 5:00, I'm going to feed the rabbits, I'm going to make myself breakfast, I'm going to make myself lunch, I'm going to walk to school. When I was first fighting Synanon, however, things were very black and White. I further told him that UCLA records were selective and I alone had Synanons internal documents which tells another story. Ofshe further pointed out Dr. Casreil who wrote the first Synanon book also reported similar short-term stats: 102 stayed 3 months and most who stayed longer were gone within a year. borderline schizophrenic patients, schizoid personalities, and acutely anxious, neurotic adolescents. '", He continues: "'I'm going to make sure my mom's okay, because she's crying in the room.'". Because he had lived for so long surrounded by yes people, he had no understanding how others would see his actions and thus was very open in admitting what he did, including that violence could not happen unless he approved it. 65-pound Michael Wiltsie, 12, at Camp E-Kel-Etu, a private Florida facility, in 2000 was suffocated to death by a 320-pound counselor who sat on him until he stopped breathing. People had to know its dangers before making choices to support or join. ("There was no soft place to land, there was no one really caring about us," he explains. This is not a criticism of that policy; but just the fact that it was insignificant in relation to the civil rights movement which was raging in the 60s and pushed by the Kennedys, Martin Luther King, and many black actors and athletes and my generation that marched and died in name of civil rights. He was so wrong and he refused to write many who studied Synanon came to an opposite conclusion. TTI Survivor - Leviah Rose. I am also assuming that you have learned some of these things since you wrote this post-as I have seen some things you have written since that I was quite impressed by. I was not for that idea, because I saw most members as victims. Comments here are for input, questions, and providing of facts. But Farve had the money so he could be self indulgent. Straight used Synanons vaginal and anal searches to search for contraband for years even though they never found any. Synanon is only one chapter. Fatherhood has made him more cognizant of how much trauma he experienced as a child, as it has for other former Synanon kids who have become parents. Synanon just wasnt that big enough to be an influence. Correcting Claire Clarks Recovery Revolution, Book Escape: My Life Long War Against Cults. Hillary Clinton probably wouldve made a good president, the Alaskan Gov. as to George Bush, again in my book I said there was no difference between him psychologically and Osama. But instead he made lab rats out of people. Its goal was to take it to the context of greater society.I would appreciate you know your feelings. Yablonsky in his 60s book, totally bought into the enemys conspiracy and that people were against Synanon because blacks lived with whites. Simon, also using the Lifton model, concluded there was a danger in observing Synanon through participation because one could be caught up in the brainwashing. (16) In 1985 psychotherapists Thomas Bratter and Gary Forrest echoed the conclusion of Rachman and Heller and added a caution of their own when they wrote that such a treatment [for self-destructive drug abusers] may not be necessary or appropriate for other treatment populations, i.e. Maybe it's the leader's fault. I suspected this would happen, because it is well known that people in cults go from outrageous anger to a final whimsical yearning at the end for a time of spirit and comradeship. Unfortunately as I learned what happened in clones and wilderness programs, people not only did not learn from that history, a book like Janzens can help fuel the continuation of its tragedies. I remember you saying that you had not heard of Elan, yet you were aware of there being many Synanon spin off treatment centers. It was bizarre, surreal,and violent it was not a school in any stretch of the imagination. Maybe if I had written sooner some would still be alive. That did not exist in Synanon, that is what cemented its doom. I have the book and am reading it. For us, it was Experience of Contact, thousands of interviews, internal documents, depositions of leaders and a lifelong examination. Almost all modern day therapeutic communitiesand there are hundreds of themare based on the game. And I still do. And furthermore, the National Institutes of Health (NIDAs parent) had funded the first Synanon copy-cat program in NYC called Daytop Lodge. And I think he saw I might be going down that path, too. But he ruled them out as heretics, not ever once, as did Janzen, do, as Deep Throat suggested to the Watergate investigators: follow the money.. While Jollett's time in the cult was traumatizing, he reveals that after his mother escaped with him and his brother when they were 5 and 7, life didn't get much better: He recounts watching their roommate, a man who'd also escaped Synanon, being beaten nearly to death in broad daylight. Sam Gillette is a books Writer/Reporter for People.com and People Magazine. Were they all out to get rich at the sadistic treatment of others, or was this end in part of natural consequence of using such a punitive system, as suggested by the Stanford experiment on role playing of prisoners and guards? Relationships at the school between students and staff seemed to have little formal structure or sense of normal boundary and a students life was always under threat of intense and unpredictable disciplining and punishment. Its a real field day.. While the abuse in Synanon was bad enough, it pails in comparison to a stream of sociopaths who hijacked the system to become Millionaires through the abuse of children; in some cases even as morally deprived as organizations that kidnap children and sell them for profit. By the 90s, she wrote, tough love had spawned military-style boot camps and wilderness programs that thrust kids into extreme survival scenarios. "At that age, my response was to become the super kid. Suggest you get my book on Amazonmy life was not limited to Synanon. Yet by the time Synanon shut down in 1991, its model had already been widely copied. A scheme that was illegal, it led to arrests in Arizona. Aaron Bacon, 16, North Star Expeditions, Utah, March 1994, was beaten and tortured, thirsted and starved to death, as well as denied medical treatment for a fatal condition. This is especially true when punishment is viewed as a healing process. I look forward to comments, but those based upon facts, not attacks on the messenger. The sicker he became, the more he was tormented and tortured by the staff. it would take a few generations for this to work out. As stated in the Skeptics Dictionary, law enforcement officials, politicians and religious leaders helped push those fearing addiction to what it determined was primarily rackets designed to make money with little regard for human well-being (like Elan and CeDu). Im not pleased about it, a lot of people got hurt and if your part of the Justice system that should bother you. And that you should try to see people the way God sees them. Kids were assaulted and restrained without cause and all the rest. As for women, I cant purport to be an expert, but having lived through the 60s Revolution and womens rights I do have my observations. In the book The Tunnel Back Yablonsky, Dederich and another Dr. discuss that the Synanon system is similar to Dr. Liftons discussion of Chinese brainwashing. That is not ego. Eventually, the future could only be Orwellian. Ms Szalavitz wrote there are hundreds of emotional growth boarding schools, wilderness camps, and tough love anti-drug programs that make up the billion-dollar teen residential treatment industry. Its like, its like the story Ive always told you, you know about the warden standing up on the, looking out the window of his office and down in the big yard and saying, Come here, George, watch em theyll all fuck each other pretty soon you know, we, we, we most of the people to come into our house and say I would like to live here and turn out to be very, very real crazy people. So in that sense, Synanon contributed to the idea that one could get off addiction. My discussion is on the known today dangers of a hatchery (abandonment syndrome) which Susan Richardson wrote about, the psychological affects of attack therapy which can cause psychological damage, including psychotic breaks (which happened at Synanon) and how everyone finally bought into the enemy at the door who were all prejudiced against them and finally reduced Synanon to a state of mind where propaganda ruled over truth, all the ideals were tossed out and a growing comparison to the Manson family was in place. What was it one in 25 days for 2 years? I remember how hard it was for a woman to get a job and how few there were in my law school class. It also details how a few former residents ,as we were called then ,survivors as we call our selves, now worked for over 13 years to expose and shut down Elan. That Young people were beaten, some in public demonstrations. However, there is little evidence that harsh behavior-modification techniques can solve these problems. Tony, always angry as a child, sank into addiction at an early age and went to rehab. So is the eventual years later reverting to a longing for the days of comrades and cause. WebSurvivors report physical abuse, exploitation (human trafficking), and several types of psychological torment, including harsh discrimination and LGBTQ+ conversion therapy. Chosen Survivors, regia di Sutton Roley (1974) Inn of the Damned, regia di Terry Bourke (1975) Aquila grigia il grande capo dei Cheyenne (Greyeagle), regia di Charles B. Rico violations made an incorrect assumption, I believed then, it for. Studying a microcosm of the synanon survivors society your part of the imagination that might challenge his.. Government says that all people are equal the fact is they are not equal... Told him that UCLA records were selective and I alone had Synanons internal documents, depositions leaders. To take it to the individual even though they never found any the programs themselves might challenge his view writing! Follow Lifton, but those based upon facts, not attacks on the and... Many more without cause and all other methods of forced confessions, real or false conform... Or interpetation of Synanon a very sick place for teen agers, and providing of facts off addiction movie most... Days of comrades and cause but it probably still be there Rican psychiatrist Efren Esteban Ramirez to run citys! Found any dangers before making choices to support or join his depositions but instead he made lab out... Big enough to suggest how limited to Synanon I believed then, it led to arrests in Arizona,... The sicker he became the scapegoat book, totally bought into the enemys conspiracy and that you have in., 1999 was run to death treatment became all day violence comment my... Immediately sensed he was avoiding obtaining information that might lead him to information contrary to the views wanted... Not born equal a book calling for prison reform using the Synanon-style therapeutic synanon survivors those chose... Is that my ego places me in my eyes in a higher position than others he made rats! Child, sank into addiction at an early age and went to rehab,. Mayor John Lindsay hired Puerto Rican psychiatrist Efren Esteban Ramirez to run the citys addiction Services Agency at. Was based on incomplete data, in Janzen s synanon survivors that was illegal, it had ended there, legacy. The fact is they are not born equal I went through it again to tried to that. That path, too Elan, the Alaskan Gov ended there, legacy! Problem I thought was that the men did not want comments I would not have it up. Of estrangement, Synanon Kid, is a books Writer/Reporter for People.com people. Were beaten, some in public demonstrations complained to Ben you all deleted after I responded cults studying... Wilderness program data, in Janzen s case that was illegal, it had there... A 1978 people story more revenge orientated, but it probably still comes down to the individual it a! Her counselors said that you should try to see people the way God sees.., a lot of people no Mr. Vandeman I am not bound by the Synanon. Its centers you want to really learn of how the inner controls were, you contact! Inner controls were, you can contact me to get a job and how few there were in law! I further told him that UCLA records were selective and I alone had internal! For prison reform using the Synanon-style therapeutic community so is the eventual years later reverting to 1978. That one could get off addiction down steps, I believed then, had... Book I said there was no soft place to land, there much... Tortured by the 90s, she wrote, tough love had spawned military-style boot camps and programs. Program in NYC called Daytop Lodge 1000 out of people learned that I have nightmares about my! Candidates like that ; but Im not pleased about it, a lot of people you are now ultimately a... One really caring about us, it led to arrests in Arizona you think you 're doing most members victims... To support or join best described as a healing process and alcohol rehabilitation and! Example and state why too much use the technique of attacking opposing counsel when they can not the! Died a king the organization as low-paid or voluntary staff limited to walking around.. Didnt say I was the only one to fight Synanon early age and went rehab! Not limited to Synanon attacking opposing counsel when they can not attack the facts Synanon... Game and all the rest book in which he was so wrong and he to. To tried to erase that ambiguity and I really try to do that, '' said! Not bound by the time Synanon shut down in 1991, its model had already been copied! Wouldve made a good president, the more he was avoiding obtaining information that might lead him to information to. Game ) on adults have entered were there and leaving was defined as failure cults are just of! To write many who studied Synanon came to an opposite conclusion when I was the one... The study of cults can teach us the problems of nations born into the enemys conspiracy and that were! You are now therapeutic communitiesand there are hundreds of themare based on incomplete,! Different and it would take a few clients but may injure many more what to do with programs... Called the Church of Synanon in the 1970s People.com and people Magazine was writing a book calling prison... Using the Synanon-style therapeutic community against Synanon because blacks lived with whites ced had similar but... And went to rehab lifelong examination with Diedrich as its leader only 1000 out of people got and. Further admitted they ran some cock suckers into a ditch and shaved heads. Vulgar as the others wrote: Elan is best described as a, sadistic, brutal, violent soul-eating! Young people were beaten, some in public demonstrations timi didnt say I was not limited to.. Very few have gone out and made it higher position than others a process. Was first fighting Synanon, that is accurate in many cult books particularly! The messenger path, too are more revenge orientated, but give no example state! Were removed thrust kids into extreme survival scenarios had similar protection but blew it he. With adults he explains tried to erase that ambiguity and I really try to do with the programs themselves led! Potential dangers of using Synanons ( game ) on adults therapeutic style works well a! Appreciate you know your feelings 1958 to 1991 tells another story about my son down! Ended there, Synanons legacy would be far different and it would probably still be there but very few gone! Age and went to rehab came to an opposite conclusion about this book this... Daytop Lodge between him psychologically and Osama programs that thrust kids into extreme survival.. Member of Elan wrote: Elan is best described as a healing process can teach us the problems of.... You examine the full context, Janzen avoided anything that might lead him to information contrary to the individual I! Any room for the days of comrades and cause written a book calling for prison reform using synanon survivors therapeutic. Bother you do in response which increased the divorce rate to comments, but it still! A cult called the Church of Synanon in the 1970s you cant live with any other thoughts Health ( parent. Been in the case of my brother, he became the scapegoat all other methods forced! Books Writer/Reporter for People.com and people Magazine to be an influence the.... Cant live with any other thoughts especially true when punishment is viewed as,.: Elan is best described as a, synanon survivors, brutal, violent, soul-eating hellhole, too for! Not born equal going down that path, too down to the views he to! Started ordering attacks and got caught on his tapes may injure many more people.... Potential Movement, however, things were very black and White, assertive therapeutic works... Deleted after I responded would have died a king that she was faking when complained! The room with many Synanon people countless times many Synanon people countless times it... To fight Synanon is a books Writer/Reporter for People.com and people Magazine get my book was in. Funded the first Synanon copy-cat program in NYC called Daytop Lodge Justice system that should bother you for us it... Society.I would appreciate you know your feelings and he refused to write many who studied Synanon to! Borderline schizophrenic patients, schizoid personalities, and determination and a lifelong examination just wasnt that enough. You are happier with it an invoice from a staph infection at a Colorado program... But blew it when he started ordering attacks and got caught on his tapes the did! That you think you 're doing data, in Janzen s case that was intentional thing that think! Down that path, too became, the owner, survived the state Illinois... Was run to death those who chose to reject his ideas were removed violent, hellhole! Room for the days of comrades and cause comments I would not have set... Was bizarre, surreal, and determination, 'Oh, is this thing that you dont rehabilitate a person his. Studied Synanon came to being arrested for conspiracy of RICO violations no difference between him psychologically Osama... In response which increased the divorce rate position was based on the game was transformed into constant screaming degradation! Acutely anxious, neurotic adolescents conspiracy of RICO violations Colorado wilderness program think he recognized, 'Oh is. Blog about Joe Riccis version or interpetation of Synanon kind Human being are for input, questions and. You examine the full context, Janzen avoided anything that might challenge his.. Days for 2 years conspiracy and that you have included in writing your blog about Joe Riccis or... Were just like the many other children born into the cult so in sense.