I am ashamed to say I did a six month "program" at Narconon Arrowhead two to three years ago. During my stay, I was forced to practice Scientology "Training Routines" and "Objective Exercises." These consisted of sitting in a chair and staring at other addicts for hours, reading lines from the book "Allison In Wonderland," repeatedly walking around a confined room and touching objects for hours and hours, and "bull-baiting" (having another addict degrade you while you maintain a consistent blank expression.) Never once did they ever address my actual drug problem.
Another part of the program consists of sitting in a crowded sauna for over six hours a day, forced to swallow TONS of low grade vitamins and niacin. Other than a place to discard vitamins, the saunas were know for their grime and as hook-up spots for students.
Putting the "therapy" aside, during my stay I was exposed to violence, sex, drugs and alcohol between students and staff members. I even tried Oxy, steroids, various pills I got from a staff member, and GHB for the first time during my stay. Most of the time staff members, (most are ex addicts with no prior experience) were able to stay employed because their families would pay thousands to the center after that person was caught breaking a rule, no matter how serious.
They kept finding new reasons to charge my parents thousands of dollars. Worried about me, they usually paid in full, leaving their faith in the hands of Scientology businessmen. They preyed upon my parent's concern and worry and milked them a long as they could.
I am clean today DESPITE this terrible place. It is dirty, the food sucks, insects are everywhere, and the untrained/ unqualified staff creates a dangerous environment. They were even in the news recently for a couple deaths which took place there. Do not believe the high rates of success they claim. Literally dozens and dozens of people were going through the program for the third or forth time or more times while I was there.