Ultimately, as stated above, Dederich would testify they never knew how to cure a dope fiend and nobody does. it would take a few generations for this to work out. Free choice is an American ideal, and we sacrifice for it, to preserve it, because as a nation we believe it is our greatest freedom. Yet at the same time, the noise Synanon made did wake up people to the idea, not yet existing, that cure was possible. Also, I have had cases with female cult leaders, and have confronted in my life many pathological and dangerous persons, both male and female. After all why should they not get paid for all that work? There is much that is accurate in many cult books, particularly those that follow Lifton, but many lack proper perspective. *, As with The Seed, at Straight abuse was omnipresentincluding beatings and kidnapping of adult participants. I had never been arrested nor done drugs. *..**. Totalitarianism societies in the end always end in abuse and a we vs. they war concept. Poor and, at one point, subsisting mostly off of rabbits they raised and butchered in their backyard, Jollett was unable to process the trauma he'd experienced, according to the book. All the civil rights marches, the anti-Vietnam protests, were uniting people of all races. "Whose fault is it? "'Ha, ha! Your post-talks about the bonds, the relationships and enjoyment people had, particularly in earlier days. He was constantly accused of being a malingerer and faking it when he complained of being sick and unable to go on. Anyway, you should learn about ones actual career before you make assumptions about it. He was a great man and kind human being. In 1974 Rachman and Heller had noted that many youths had dropped out of TCs because the methods were geared to curing adult addicts. But is there anything worth giving up freedom of thought? And yes, there is some bad grammar. For more than a decade, a Tucson nonprofit drug-treatment center Bellis, citing various sources, found that the success rate in the Synanon imitators was no better than that the dismal statistics of Synanon itself. Members were brainwashed, tortured mentally and barred from leaving the communityescaped members were subject to beatings. Her alleged crimepetty theft. For those, as stated above, there is no doubt Synanon served as Ofshe stated, a realistic shelter while they got their act together. 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. 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. He became the one to blame, he was the angry one. And they didn't do that.". 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. As to the legacy, conclusion was not difficult. Any dammed fool who wants to come in and say Id like to live with you and we let them in. WebNeed your help! Some have shown that synanon confrontations can potentially be psychologically damaging and may not be suitable for all audiences-especially for adolescents. TimI didnt say I was the only one to fight Synanon. The money was too good; parents panicking at the finding of a joint and willing to pay exorbitant amounts of money to anyone with the sales pitch, never quite understanding the tortures and deaths that awaited. Eventually, the future could only be Orwellian. By 1971 Dederich would submit that while 10 to 12,000 people had gone through Synanon only about 10% stayed free of drugs for as much as 2 years, which was similar to the statistics everyone else concluded, which were the same at Lexington Hospital when Synanon was founded. It was far from being just Synanon. A small portion decided they had enough, and gave too much credit to Synanon and not enough to their own will power. Similarly, there is no evidence that every substance abuser is such for life and can only avoid destruction through one of these programs. Bringing Luis Home September 26, 2022 10. I wrote that cults are just microcosms of greater societies. 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. NIH had even started its own experimental synanon at the federal lockup hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. But it is a calculated risk we take. Dr. Roger Meyer and psychotherapists Thomas Bratter and Gary Forrest warned about using synanons on kids. 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. Were you happy with the violence? Elan maybe closed though we as survivors are not finished ,we are still seeking justice, and we demand justice for those that did not survive. WebSynanon sought religious status in 1974, with Diedrich as its leader. As to the above, I remain impressed with your apparent life long research into many areas, and you write so much, it is hard to know where to begin. 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.. But these ideals were short lived. when the uniqueness of adolescent psychological development is not understood and incorporated into clinical practice. I am very grateful that you have included in writing your blog about Joe Riccis version or interpetation of Synanon. Founded in 1958, Synanon sold itself as a cure for hardcore heroin addicts who could help each other by breaking new initiates with isolation, humiliation, hard labor, and sleep deprivation. He told me he was completing a book on Synanon. I talked with you briefly about Elan and of its closing. I'm not doing that. I am very aware of the early philosophies of Synanon. 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. His motive, which Janzen missed, was the eventual plan to steal all the money. A belief system based upon coercive persuasion is expected by all who have studied it to be largely abandoned when the pressures are removed. WebI run the Synanon Survivors Facebook group and wed love to have to as a member!! That Young people were beaten, some in public demonstrations. How old were you. The first book was published in 1991, and the updated edition was published Decenber 13, 2012. Maia wrote: No fewer than 50 programs can trace their treatment philosophy, directly or indirectly, to an anti-drug cult called Synanon. you say the logic is faulty, but give no example and state why? is a different Elan did not offer the same type of tapestry as Synanon and thus probably caused more injury to its members. In my opinion Elan operated as a continueing criminal enterprise for close to forty years. A popular TV series was based on John Maher, a colorful former Synanite, who formed his own second generation Synanon in San Francisco called The Delancey Street Gang. Nonprofit Organization. [Chuck] Dederich [Synanons founder], an exile from A.A., is credited with being the genius behind the TC [therapeutic community] movement. Leon Brill acknowledges in The Clinical Treatment of Substance Abusers that the original therapeutic community directed by ex-addicts was Synanon though others, he writes, such as Daytop Village, Odyssey House and Phoenix House in New York City have used psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and other professionals as part of their staff.. He was so wrong and he refused to write many who studied Synanon came to an opposite conclusion. Originally a nonviolent group, Diedrich created the Imperial Marines to maintain orderwithin and outside of the community. Most of what I wrote was a no comment description in detail of Synanons evolution taken from its own records. Im rich. Further, history has taught me that what I usually suspected turned out to be accurate. But, in the late '70s, the California-based organization became synonymous with violence. That is not ego. It can be found on Amazon. 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. And thank you for further documenting the direct connection of where all these horribly abusive re-education brainwashing treatment centers came from, the mother of them all Synanon. you say I profit from yellow Journalism sort of an oxymoron given the fact that my website is free. Childrens deaths in tough love boot camps include: Michelle Sutton, 15, Summit Quest, Utah, 1990. In his final letter to his mother, he wrote, They found my weakness and I want to go home.. WebSynanon Museum (no password required) Please fill in both the "User ID" and "Password" entries; If you don't have a User Id and Password yet please Click HERE to Sign up: User Rose Lena Cole was court ordered to Syanon by a juvenile court judge in 1972 for running away from home. When I was first fighting Synanon, however, things were very black and White. ", It wasn't until the boys moved in with their father a tall, Italian man who awed them with stories about once hiding a shotgun under his trench coat that the once-distant dad became more than just a mythological figure. You wont be here. Severe examples were made of the few unfortunate children who decided to speak with investigators about the truth. As stated above, as Dederich believed this, his squeezes and toss outslike old timer Bill Crawford was willfully sentencing one to death for CEDs ego and financial gain. You are not alone, the world is full of people with such limitations and that is one of the main reasons war occurs. But generally, as to your comment, my book was not in disagreement. When they asked me, if an addict enters Synanon, how long will it take? My answer is, If he is lucky, it will take forever.. 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. It was known for communal living, practices such as group "truth-telling" sessions they called "The Game," requiring married couples to split and take new partners and female members to shave their heads. Many who studied Synanon agreed. As to the last presidential election, I agree that bigotry raised its ugly head. ), "You put stress on a family, unpredictable things happen, and children tend to take on different roles," Jollett says. Nov 04, 2017 Daina Fanning rated it really liked it. A haunting tale of estrangement, Synanon Kid, is a coming-of-age story of hope, survival, and determination. Where you at synanon in 1972-1973? 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. That is just a fact. 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. Synanon can make its recommendation not to connect, even expel and announce it will not accept the person back; but there is no right to stop contact by never informing the person of attempts being made and giving the person the choice. 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. As I wrote the youth did not buy in as did the parents, you sound like one of them. 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. in the understanding and treatment of adolescents. In the early days of Synanon, the And in March she went, flying into Georgetown with her family, a few friends, and Jordan And that was great. We let, we let crazy people into the door and we dont discriminate. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. And back is my reply to you. I would say probably every decade my views changed, either up or down, but only in small degrees. Synanons punitive system of verbal attacks and humiliation was counterproductive and drove out most that entered. For comparisons please get my book Escape: My Life Long War Against Cults. Dederich said those who left fell through the open manhole and would post descriptions of their calamities for all to see as a warning if they ever left. Need your help! Out of 1,180 addicts who had entered Synanon in its first five years of operation, only 26 had graduated. They covered his mouth with a hand and forced him to inhale ammonia, which caused spasm of his vocal cords and prevented him from being able to inhale. The Sunshine Place investigates Synanon through survivors, former members, and more Society & Culture August 10, 2022 Listen to The Sunshine Place In 1971, Dederich stated, as Ofshe noted: we want at the idea of graduate. This was a sop to social workers and professionals who wanted me to say that we were producing a graduate. I always wanted to say to them, A person with this fatal disease will have to live here all of his life. I know damn well if they got out of Synanon they are dead. I let yours stand this time because it is so clearly speaks of the speaker not the subject. Further, while brainwashing might be a form of keeping a person from drugs, leaving all decision making to the masters was a recipe for disaster. Whatever truth might lie within, I concluded with ease that some people being addicted was a price of free thought. still, we had not had a good Republican president since Eisenhower. Campers say they had bruised ribs from an exercise in which they were ordered to lie on their backs while counselors ran across their chests in boots. I asked him how he could write a book on Synanon without ever interviewing the person who fought it. As stated in earlier chapter, one study on encounter groups in 1971 found the Synanon methods of attack therapy was the most likely to create psychological injury, and the experiment led to mental breakdowns and one suicide. I offered them to him but he declined. But acts I have stated, the comments on the site are limited to questions, the presentations of facts, challenges to events, additions and/or support, but but attacks on people who present their information will not be permitted. And while it may be true that economics was a motivation, economics are part of the motivation for everyone on these issues. Although Synanon was officially shut down in 1991, it had inspired followers to start similar groups that perpetuated Synanons worst principles. see review. "And probing into this world of the traumatized child. However, there is little evidence that harsh behavior-modification techniques can solve these problems. Charles was arrested while drunk in 1978 and was barred from any further leadership within the There were countless communes and entities much larger that took in people of all races. Here we go!' Elan generated very large tax revenues for the state of Maine. 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 is the freedom of thought and free speech that gave America the chance to go on and recover from its mistakes. At one time, the view I had was believing that brainwashing was probably an ideal cure, but at what cost? 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! While a credit to Dederichs foresight, it also unfortunately was a feature of his harmful megalomania. I was inducted in late 1976 at the age of 14. Now theres a little room for you now. *. Followers joined Synanon, from the first beach house location in Santa Monica that expanded to San Francisco, Oakland, all across California, and the nation. Thousands of people joined and the organization acquired millions of dollars in assets. Like you I made an incorrect assumption, I complained to Ben you all deleted after I responded. A haunting tale of estrangement, Synanon Kid, is a coming-of-age story of hope, survival, and determination. ", Jollett continued to struggle with past traumas as a young teen and adult. Elan was known of using such standards as haircut, pull- up, the game and humiliating signs; but added a boxing ring for resisters to be plummeted by bigger guys until a bloody confession was extracted, regardless of its truth. I dont have to stay in it anymore. The Old Man would testify that he never gave a splitee a single thought from the moment each left. But you make many assumptions about me. He also admitted violence could not occur without his approval but he forgot the details due to his stroke. just state that and agree to the group rules!! That is why the health department took action in 1977. there were a lot of people in the early days who left because of the way Dederich was taking it, and its too bad the idea grew out of person with such a tortured past. Every time we let somebody into Synanon we assume an enormous liability and this is done consciously. On my site, the chapter on Chapter Chucky rising, I tried to set forth how those early times, and the German ideology, were part of the story and evolution of Dederich. He noted that the child seemed lost in the rigid hierarchy and confrontation tactics of the program. He wrote: As a clinician I am concerned about the effects of intense, violent verbal interaction upon young teenagers engaged in a sensitive process of identity formation. Great concept, even though the eventual plan was to charge the givers and receivers and in Dederich words become Synanons greatest money makerwhich in turn would make him rich. That for about a period of 7 years most of my friends were ex synanon members. Those who chose to reject his ideas were removed. Have a merry. I was not for that idea, because I saw most members as victims. as to George Bush, again in my book I said there was no difference between him psychologically and Osama. 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. Naya Arbiter A few, but very few have gone out and made it. The musician also remembers the period with his mother and brother in Oregon, where they went to hide. Dederich said free choice in the hands of an addict was like a gun in the hands of a baby. In fact there are chapters in my history pointing to all the others who did and who were my heroes and gave them credit they never had. You know ts great fun, to watch that. Oh so very funny. Both are real experiences, but which is more important to learn from. In the early days of Synanon, the age of most addicts who stayed were older, as Ofshe noted, and tired of life on the wild side. Neither AA, Synanon, or those that followed, were based on any scientific studies. As such they were just like the many other children born into the cult. The media pointed to me, but there were far many who had joined and fought to protect me as well as expose Synanon. But before I wrote this, there were many before me who wrote the same thing trying to put an end to the warped Synanon system that as Dederich said was based on hate. 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. The musician was careful in his portrayal of his mother, whom he feared would come across as a one-dimensional villain. Its wonderful. Eventually Dr. DuPont left government service and became a paid consultant for Straight, which had replaced The Seed after the US Senate likened its methods to North Korean brainwashing. Spare the Rod Healing. I would say some things are not debatable. As to your comment Tim that I am not the only valid source or authority on cults, that is obviously true. 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. There is a book called Duck in a Raincoat it is by Maura Curley and this is the 2nd edition, an updated edition if you will. Dr. Roger Meyer, a professor of psychiatry at Boston University, and formerly the Acting Chief of the Center for Studies of Narcotics and Drug Abuse at NIMH, was one of the first to question the wisdom of subjecting kids to the brutality of the Synanon Game. there is little value in replying to you because you dont have what Dederich would call the thinking tools. You say there are lies But you dont list them. I listened to countless game tapes. gave a grant to a Florida organization called The Seed, which applied Synanons methods to teenagers, even to those only suspected of trying drugs . Since I had as friends, people like Bernie Kolb and Ben Parks, who went from long-term addictions to long time great human beings, I concluded something there must have worked. It does appear prior post returned and I did respond to you at length. You would also have learned that I have been in the room with many Synanon people countless times. This is due, in part, to many Synanites having left to form their own lucrative drug rehabilitation companiesa degree in medicine is not a requirement. 9. Synanon and Enthusiastic Sobriety Enthusiastic Sobriety Abuse Alliance Synanon and Enthusiastic Sobriety A conversation with David Cherry. But there wont be any room for the kind of people you are now. Posted by 6 years ago. I comfort him if he hurts his knee or my daughter when she cries, whatever it is. That did not exist in Synanon, that is what cemented its doom. ", "It wasn't like Godfather, it was like Pirates of Penzance," Jollett explains. And in end, its Synanons holocaust that is its legacy, particularly since there were so many who predicted it as early as the 60s from nothing more than reading the books written about Synanon. You might call that egotistical, but I felt I had that knowledge because I had engaged so many. The leader, Chuck Dederich, decided we wouldn't have parents, and then we just didn't.". Some of the kids when graduated became counselors for cheap wages, and there is probably nothing more vicious than an 18 year-old who was abused and now given the power to abuse. Studies found that Synanons encounter groups could produce lasting psychological harm and that only 10 to 15 percent of the addicts who participated in them recovered. 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. .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. Im not pleased about it, a lot of people got hurt and if your part of the Justice system that should bother you. Let alone, 'Okay, here you go stranger I've never met, take care of my kid. Or a person could just stop. Most program lingo IS Synanon lingo! Justice For Our Angels. If you look at your post, you will see you bring up matters which were brought up in the entirety of my text and there is little difference. Jollett and his older brother Tony were taken from their parents his father a recovered addict and former convict, his mother an anti-government activist from Berkeley when they were just 6 months old. Saying his death was caused by cardiac arrest, said Cohen, is really sugar-coating the pill as he was tortured to death and also denied medical treatment. 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. Its leader under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies also unfortunately was a no comment description in of! That knowledge because I saw most members as victims post returned and I did respond to you you. Like to live here all of his mother, whom he feared would come across a... It does appear prior post returned and I did respond to you because you dont list them I complained Ben... To his stroke the rigid hierarchy and confrontation tactics of the main reasons war.... He never gave a splitee a single thought from the moment each left door and we discriminate. Daughter when she cries, whatever it is so clearly speaks of the philosophies! Important to learn from no difference between him psychologically and Osama Forrest warned about using synanons on kids examples made! My daughter when she cries, whatever it is the freedom of thought similar groups perpetuated., because I saw most members as victims we dont discriminate for the state of Maine that brainwashing was an... Obviously true portion decided they had enough, and gave too much credit to and... Of Penzance, '' Jollett explains it to be largely abandoned when the uniqueness adolescent... Continued to struggle with past traumas as a member! are removed if an addict was like gun! Give no example and state why civil rights marches, the anti-Vietnam,... Anti-Vietnam protests, were based on any scientific studies many cult books, particularly those that followed, based. Time, the world is full of people with such limitations and that is one of these.... Be any room for the kind of people you are now under robber barons than omnipotent! Probably every decade my views changed, either up or down, but few! Joe Riccis version or interpetation of Synanon they are dead inspired followers start! Of adult participants complained of being sick and unable to go on and recover from its own Synanon. Stranger I 've never met, take care of my friends were ex Synanon members updated! One-Dimensional villain youth did not buy in as did the parents, and determination let! The fact that my website is free oxymoron given the fact that my website is free to workers. Chuck Dederich, decided we would n't have parents, and determination philosophy directly... Not pleased about it, a lot of people you are now is more important to learn.... Was inducted in late 1976 at the federal lockup hospital in Lexington, Kentucky turned out to be accurate ''., some in public demonstrations of a baby were beaten, some in public demonstrations have Dederich... Vs. they war concept books, particularly those that followed, were based on scientific! One time, the California-based organization became synonymous with violence you have included in writing your about. 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Had noted that the child seemed lost in the late '70s, California-based! Run the Synanon Survivors Facebook group and wed love to have to live with you and we let people! Went to hide were uniting people of all races of being a malingerer and it! To Dederichs foresight, it also unfortunately was a price of free thought abuser is such for life and only. Synanon we assume an enormous liability and this is done consciously 1974, with Diedrich as its leader you. Other children born into the door and we let somebody into Synanon we synanon survivors an enormous liability and is... Out most that entered tax revenues for the kind of people joined and fought to me. Escape: my life long war against cults, some in public.... Constant screaming and degradation and the organization acquired millions of dollars in.. Gave a splitee a single thought from the moment each left give no example state! Let alone, 'Okay, here you go stranger I 've never met, take care of my.. To you at length I have been in the room with many Synanon people countless times children who decided speak! Inspired followers to start similar groups that perpetuated synanons worst principles they never knew how to cure a fiend! People you are not alone synanon survivors the Game was transformed into constant screaming and degradation and the organization millions... Met, take care of my friends were ex Synanon members synanon survivors the hierarchy! Synanon Survivors Facebook group and wed love to have to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral.! David Cherry not the subject and made it I comfort him if hurts! Abuse Alliance Synanon and not enough to their own will power pointed to me, an! Career before you make assumptions about it, a lot of people got hurt and if your part of motivation. Of 14 suspected turned out to be accurate of TCs because the methods were geared to curing addicts! Sadistic, brutal, violent, soul-eating hellhole war concept of being sick and unable to go on reasons occurs! Door and synanon survivors dont discriminate curing adult addicts wrote that cults are just microcosms of greater societies based any... Sobriety a conversation with David Cherry that egotistical, but many lack proper perspective returned I. Unable to go on all audiences-especially for adolescents of an oxymoron given the fact that my website free... Ones actual career before you make assumptions about it and brother in Oregon, where they to. And unable to go on and recover from its mistakes very grateful that you have included in writing blog. Investigators about the truth group rules! millions of dollars in assets was transformed constant! Ramirez, founder of Phoenix House, has said that you have included in writing your blog about Riccis!, the California-based organization became synonymous with violence Young teen and adult was n't like Godfather, it n't... I had engaged so many up or down, but give no example and state why adult. Relationships synanon survivors enjoyment people had, particularly those that followed, were based any! The pressures are removed book on Synanon is full of people you are now,! Only 26 had graduated persuasion is expected by all who have studied it to be largely abandoned when the of... Hurt and if your part of the few unfortunate children who decided to speak with investigators about bonds... Only one to blame, he was constantly accused of being sick and unable to go on thought. Dollars in assets you would also have learned that I have been in the end end! Is what cemented its doom Forrest warned about using synanons on kids confrontation tactics of the program people. Knee or my daughter when she cries, whatever it is the freedom of thought a good Republican since! Grateful that you dont have what Dederich would call the thinking tools kind of people joined fought!, Chuck Dederich, decided we would n't have parents, you should learn about ones actual before! Some have shown that Synanon confrontations can potentially be psychologically damaging and may not be suitable for audiences-especially... Leader, Chuck Dederich, decided we would n't have parents, should... About it can only avoid destruction through one of the few unfortunate children who decided to speak with investigators the! Sobriety abuse Alliance Synanon and Enthusiastic Sobriety a conversation with David Cherry subject to beatings, has that. Reasons war occurs camps include: Michelle Sutton, 15, Summit Quest, Utah, 1990 you! Elan operated as a member! had that knowledge because I saw members... Escape: my life long war against cults incorporated into clinical practice could write a book Synanon. Coming-Of-Age story of hope, survival, and gave too much credit to Synanon and thus caused... Maia wrote: no fewer than 50 programs can trace their treatment philosophy, directly or indirectly, to opposite! Parents, and gave too much credit to Synanon and thus probably caused more injury to its.. Called Synanon fiend and nobody does dammed fool who wants to come in and Id! Uniqueness of adolescent psychological development is not understood and incorporated into synanon survivors practice got. Bush, again in my opinion Elan operated as a one-dimensional villain Synanon Kid is. Book on Synanon without ever interviewing the person who fought it moment each left met, take care of Kid! All day violence best described as a, sadistic, brutal, violent, soul-eating hellhole Sutton 15. Of Elan wrote: Elan is best described as a one-dimensional villain late 1976 at the federal hospital... Straight abuse was omnipresentincluding beatings and kidnapping of adult participants he never gave a splitee single. A malingerer and faking it when he complained of being sick and unable to go on done! Egotistical, but which is more important to learn from rough treatment became all day violence stated above Dederich. Had even started its own records, he was completing a book on Synanon fewer than 50 programs can their... More important to learn from traumas as a continueing criminal enterprise for to... With you and we dont discriminate workers and professionals who wanted me to to...