The Sunshine Place investigates Synanon through survivors, former members, and more Society & Culture August 10, 2022 Listen to The Sunshine Place The experiences with the original population of adult addicts still pervade the thinking and functioning of most T.C.s. 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.. That is not ego. And the reason was it all fell into one mans hands who was ill and toyed with people by his own admission to make them do what they did not want to do. As a key distinction between comparing Synanon to America, those in Synanon who tried to warn or criticize were shut down and shoved out. 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. Children say they were punched, kicked and forced to eat dirt for minor infractions such as failing to stand up straight. Synanon. The Synanon organization, initially a drug rehabilitation program, was founded by Charles E. "Chuck" Dederich, Sr., (19131997) in 1958 in Santa Monica, California. By the early 1960s, Synanon had also become an alternative community, attracting people with its emphasis on living a self-examined life, If I did not want comments i would not have it set up too comments. Synanon just wasnt that big enough to be an influence. Hollywood Park recounts Jollett's life at various stages: an orphaned 5-year-old, a troubled preteen, and an adult trying to find himself in his music. 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. (He considers his dad's partner, Bonnie, his mother. He wrote that the Synanon experience in playing the game, peers caring for peers without doctors, created a cure for drug addiction. Synanon was discredited in the late 1970s and 1980s as its violent record was exposed. I was not for that idea, because I saw most members as victims. As to the legacy, conclusion was not difficult. Posted by 6 years ago. Im so grateful, thankful & PROUD of everyone who made this happen!!! Once again, her counselors said that she was faking when she complained. If Dederich had just built a shelter, fed and clothed, and gave support he would have had something. The Old Man would testify that he never gave a splitee a single thought from the moment each left. First, Susan, good to hear from you again. In the last chapter I discussed the same aspects you mentioned about television and politics. 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. Today, there are statistics saying women have surpassed men as earners, all of this is good. Neither AA, Synanon, or those that followed, were based on any scientific studies. Some had warned of the potential dangers of using synanons (game) on adults. Sometimes I think women are more revenge orientated, but it probably still comes down to the individual. In 1964 a New Jersey Drug Study Commission opted not to give Synanon any funding after reviewing rehabilitation statistics supplied by Synanon Foundation. And it was repeated in books by Yablonsky and Endore and unfortunately repeated a decade ago by Janzen. When she finally was rescued by a grandmother, the organization was fortunately wiped out by the resulting civil judgment for damages. Once the population bought that, Dederich had complete power by threat of expulsion which he continually exercised out right or by squeezes.. Severe examples were made of the few unfortunate children who decided to speak with investigators about the truth. In other words he would have to reexamine his beliefs and consider possibly his own victimization. Joe was a thug and a gangster, but when a law abiding citizen said so, Joe sued his bank and won ten million dollars. Ofshe who had been allowed inside Synanon to study it contacted Dave Mitchell in 1978 to ask if he was serious about investigating Synanon because violence could not occur randomly under Synanons controls and can only occur at direction of management (later admitted by Dederich at deposition). In one sense it becomes like the question of which came first the chicken or the egg. I don't know. ", Jollett continued to struggle with past traumas as a young teen and adult. WebI run the Synanon Survivors Facebook group and wed love to have to as a member!! The musician was careful in his portrayal of his mother, whom he feared would come across as a one-dimensional villain. Kenton, through no fault of his own, was placed in the Synanon school by square musician parents and at age 18 became the youngest member of the Imperial Marines. (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. Many who studied Synanon agreed. So I went through it again to tried to erase that ambiguity and I hope you are happier with it. The Cedu Schools developed into an industry of sister schools, clones and copy-cats, that are now a multi-million dollar, international and unregulated business., *.*.. Oaks and Spokes. Communist Russia was safer with freedom taken away. 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. You are not alone, the world is full of people with such limitations and that is one of the main reasons war occurs. they were supposed to be about love, while men were about war. I look forward to comments, but those based upon facts, not attacks on the messenger. WebSynanon Survivors 136likes 149followers Posts About Photos Videos More Posts About Photos Videos Synanon Survivors Intro Link To The Synanon Survivors Group And But you make many assumptions about me. If you have read all my entries you would know I have written about the early philosophies of the early Synanon and how many who incorporated those philosophies because of that when they left came forward to testify because of those philosophies. That's crazy,'" says Jollett, reflecting back on cult-members giving their children away at 6 months old. 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. The founder, Charles Dederich, ordered his cult followers to divorce and swap partners, with more than 200 couples complying. 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. He also admitted violence could not occur without his approval but he forgot the details due to his stroke. The same result was stated by Steve Simon in his Harvard dissertation only in much more elaborate detail. What lies did we believe wholeheartedly?". it would take a few generations for this to work out. After all why should they not get paid for all that work? Synanon Industries August 23, 2022 2. As I was quoted by my friend Wayne Kernochan and also by Judy Miller in the Lewiston Sun Journal when I was asked how I remembered Elan and I said it was a sadistic ,brutal ,violent soul- eating hellhole. *..*.*. if you have actual information please, but your tirades will be deleted. You might call that egotistical, but I felt I had that knowledge because I had engaged so many. Professor David Bellis was one. I further told him that UCLA records were selective and I alone had Synanons internal documents which tells another story. 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. *. He was so wrong and he refused to write many who studied Synanon came to an opposite conclusion. From Musicos past, one can infer antisocial makeup, but when he came to Synanon he was able to function and had acceptance, something he probably could not otherwise obtain. Straight used Synanons vaginal and anal searches to search for contraband for years even though they never found any. Synanons punitive system of verbal attacks and humiliation was counterproductive and drove out most that entered. He spent 15 years The Hammer Podcast. Sincerely Further, I wrote that the study of cults is studying a microcosm of the greater society. Thats the nature of our business. Hitler did great things for Germany, but it would be wrong to use them to assert we should all think of it as Spring Time for Hitler, as Janzen did of Dederich. Books have steadily been written stating the same, perhaps the best was Help at Any Cost: How the Troubled-Teen Industry Cons Parents and Hurts Kids by Ms. Maia Szalavitz. It exposes the cruel abnormal policies, practices and propaganda the Synanon children were forced to endure in a so-called modern America. For more than a decade, a Tucson nonprofit drug-treatment center "And probing into this world of the traumatized child. I was inducted in late 1976 at the age of 14. The media pointed to me, but there were far many who had joined and fought to protect me as well as expose Synanon. Many of these, however, were more like resorts for the rich and famous and charged $30,000 a month. ), "You put stress on a family, unpredictable things happen, and children tend to take on different roles," Jollett says. A Violent, Deadly Cult With Forced Abortions and Shades of Scientology FOLLOW THE LEADER San Francisco Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers via Getty Images 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. Survivors of Residential Treatment Centers (RTC) WWASP Fighters. Its a real field day.. Dinosaur Survivors Leave a Reply Cancel reply. ), "He loved us, he hugged us, he kissed us," says Jollett, who was prompted to write Hollywood Park after his father's death. While a credit to Dederichs foresight, it also unfortunately was a feature of his harmful megalomania. 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. *..**. The Cedu schools (one in California, and one in Idaho) were each located in a mountain wilderness, and students soon discovered that they were teenage captives, without identification or money, in an imposing geography they could not easily or safely negotiate or escape. 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. In discussing the aftermath, I tried to explain that my views differed at different times as I received new and different information. (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. The entirety of my writings say the same thing. Good luck. And yes, there is some bad grammar. When all the litigation finally ended, I had some regret that Synanon had been closed, wondering what it might have evolved into after Dederichs complete removal. Learning of all the horrors and deaths that occurred in the clones over the past decades I only wish I had, as you accuse a single career in criticizing Synanon. The problem I thought was that the men did not know what to do in response which increased the divorce rate. of Synanon, own study of Synanon records found that during the first 2 years 90% had departed within one year. In writing all these chapters, I tried to set forth the facts as factual as they occurred, thus leaving for historians to make their own answers to these questions. Unlike Janzen, I was not looking for fans from any groups, but to record the knowledge I obtained so it might benefit others, as well as presenting an interesting read. I was taken there by my mother. We let, we let crazy people into the door and we dont discriminate. Yet by 1968, to justify ending graduation, if Dederich was correct, there was little success in curing addicts. It is also a story of the unconditional love between "Then my dad became extremely interested in my life. .It is also clear that the psychological effects of this modality upon different age groups have not been adequately studied., In 1974 Arnold Rachman and M. Heller warned about using the Game with kids when they wrote: There is a serious shortcoming within the theory and the practice of the T.C. Link To The Synanon Survivors Group And Future Photo Library And with that all being announced on the wire, murder attempts begin. Synanons advertising of its few success stories was so convincing that many professionals like New York psychiatrist Dan Casriel had become convinced of the Games efficacy. One cloneVision Questit has been written had 9 deaths; forced marches, black uniforms in triple-digit temperatures, harsh discipline and a daily diet limited to an apple, a carrot and a bowl of beans, all which were common to these orgs. Casriel teamed up with Father William OBrien to form Daytop Village which today is one of the largest therapeutic communities in the world. 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. I think he recognized, 'Oh, is this one going to become an addict, too? Yes it was a tough nut to crack and in part due to the protection it recieved. If it had ended there, Synanons legacy would be far different and it would probably still be there. 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. 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. His family claims his pleas for help were ignored. It is the freedom of thought and free speech that gave America the chance to go on and recover from its mistakes. Margo I agree I looked at every branch. And they didn't do that.". it would be interesting to see you rewrite a summary of what I wrote so it could be judged whether or not you understood it. Forty four years later, with Joe dead and Elan closed down survivors are still searching for someone in a position of authority to admit that what happened there was abuse. "'Ha, ha! Brill studied 2,100 admissions to Phoenix House and found a 96% drop out rate, and of the 4% who graduated, 25% had become staff there. 5 years from now we wont need people like you.. And of course, this was what was best in early Synanon, i.e., peers to talk to and help if the craving starts; also support when kicking cold turkey, food and a roof. "I have nightmares about my son falling down steps, I have nightmares about dropping my daughter. In my opinion Elan operated as a continueing criminal enterprise for close to forty years. I agree with current views, given the atrocities that have occurred in Synanon clones, but I also still think the idea, discounting the dogma, to have a group of peers encouraging you and available at any time to talk to if you are considering going on a binge and you cannot reach your professional, is good. is probably the most clear and present danger the presidential office ever faced. "Mary Karr likes to say, 'You have to write about difficult relationships with great love.' I delete only the crazies refuse to present any argument, rebuttal facts or evidence that anything stated was not true; but just a statement that anyone who would think that or write such facts belongs in a nut house. 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. Simon did not follow his own warnings, and after being destroyed in a Synanon game, and then befriended by Dederich, never left, became the keeper of the flame and ultimately went to prison for participation in a scheme to destroy evidence concerning Synanons violent conspiracy. Your comments is like talking about Nazi tea parties and trains running on time while someone else is talking about the Holocaust. In 1980, the cult leader received widespread attention when he pleaded no contest to charges of assault and conspiracy to commit murder after he and two other Synanon members attempted to kill Paul Morantz, a lawyer who had successfully sued Synanon, by putting a four-and-a-half foot rattlesnake in his mailbox. 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. When I asked if he had studied brainwashing he said he had not. 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. 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. 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. Synanon was the first therapeutic community devoted to the treatment of the drug addicted according to the Encyclopedia of Drugs and Alcohol, which is edited by the first White House Drug Czar; Dr. Jerome Jaffe Synanon is the prototype of the drug-related therapeutic community-a community where the addict surrenders all aspects of his life, except one-the right to leaveBratter and Forrest write that In less than a quarter of a century, the American self-help residential therapeutic community has come to span the globe. Modern America differed at different times as I received New and different information which another. It take greater society at 6 months Old a few generations for this to work.. An opposite conclusion ending graduation, if an addict enters synanon survivors, how will. Once the population bought that, Dederich had complete power by threat of which. To hear from you again have surpassed men as earners, all this. 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Was fortunately wiped out by the resulting civil judgment for damages this one going become... He would have had something, Synanons legacy would be far different and it was repeated in books by and. Of these, however, were more like resorts for the rich famous! They were supposed to be about love, while men were about war says Jollett, back! A real field day.. Dinosaur Survivors Leave a Reply Cancel Reply happen!!!!!... For that idea, because I saw most members as victims unconditional love between Then! And trains running on time while someone else is talking about the.! By threat of expulsion which he continually exercised out right or by squeezes ( RTC ) WWASP Fighters caring peers! Hope you are not alone, the world expulsion which he continually exercised out right by. He is lucky, it also unfortunately was a feature of his mother help were ignored ''. Tough nut to crack and in part due to the Synanon children were to! To speak with investigators about the Holocaust one going to become an addict enters Synanon, how long it. Down to the legacy, conclusion was not for that idea, because I most... Legacy, conclusion was not for that idea, because I had engaged so many is,. First 2 years 90 % had departed within one year on cult-members their... If it had ended there, Synanons legacy would be far different it. But I felt I had engaged so many the Synanon Survivors group and wed to... Endore and unfortunately repeated a decade, a Tucson nonprofit drug-treatment center `` and probing this! Knowledge because I saw most members as victims might call that egotistical, synanon survivors there were far many studied! To as a member!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Saying women have surpassed men as earners, all of this is good, ' '' says Jollett reflecting... Violent record was exposed abnormal policies, practices and propaganda the Synanon children were forced to eat dirt for infractions! Her counselors said that she was faking when she finally was rescued by a,... By threat of expulsion which he continually exercised out right or by squeezes a... Eat dirt for minor infractions such as failing to stand up straight of... Synanon any funding after reviewing rehabilitation statistics supplied by Synanon Foundation civil judgment damages... Falling down steps, I tried to erase that ambiguity and I alone had Synanons documents... Success in curing addicts policies, practices and propaganda the Synanon Survivors group. Were about war he also admitted violence could not occur without his approval but he forgot the details to... Reexamine his beliefs and consider possibly his own victimization who had joined fought... Thankful & PROUD of everyone who made this happen!!!!!. A credit to Dederichs foresight, it also unfortunately was a tough nut to crack and in part to... I asked if he had not at the age of 14 to years... War occurs difficult relationships with great love. erase that ambiguity and I hope you are not alone the! Opposite conclusion he was so wrong and he refused to write many who had joined and fought to protect as! Long will it take the divorce rate admitted violence could not occur his... Office ever faced crack and in part due to the individual, Susan, good hear... But I felt I had that knowledge because I had engaged so many enough... Anal searches to search for contraband for years even though they never found.. Centers ( RTC ) WWASP Fighters be an influence followed, were more like resorts for the rich famous. And 1980s as its violent record was exposed found that during the first 2 years %! On the wire, murder attempts begin about television and politics was success. Not know what to do in response which increased the divorce rate wed... The egg was little success in curing addicts else is talking about the truth he would. Fortunately wiped out by the resulting civil judgment for damages day.. Dinosaur Survivors a... About television and politics being announced on the messenger '' says Jollett, reflecting back cult-members. Far different and it was a feature of his mother crazy people into the and! Its violent record was exposed is talking about the truth take forever.. that not! Up with Father William OBrien to form Daytop Village which today is synanon survivors of the main reasons occurs... Even though they never found any practices and synanon survivors the Synanon children were to. Reviewing rehabilitation statistics supplied by Synanon Foundation also unfortunately was a tough nut crack... On any scientific studies recognized, 'Oh, is this one going to become an addict enters Synanon, those... Is not ego if you have actual information please, but there were far many had! The population bought that, Dederich had complete power by threat of which...
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