NarConon Vista Bay treatment center Treatment center or Scientology cult? wotsonville, California

This report is absolutely true!  This is a Scientology camp, not a treatment facility.  I am happy that the woman posted that her son is off of drugs.  They will need that strength to wrestle him from that cult he is being brain washed into.  As for finishing your "books"...these are written by L.Ron Hubbard.  How is that not Scientology based?  Has she read the books?  I have.  They are nothing but Scientology.  And the other post is correct.  He will be offered a job at the facility and a place to live once he completes the program.  It is sad but these people are taking horrible advantage of desperate families. 

Please spread the word so this doesn't keep happening to innocent people!

To the last poster, the actual conversion in Narconon is to Scientology.

If your son has not been recruited for employment at Narconon, he soon will be. There are no independent studies that validate the efficacy of the Narconon program or its overblown success rate. Narconon does not enjoy mainstream acceptance by the behavioral health community and is highly controversial. Several deaths have been reported at various Narconon locations, including Narconon Arrowhead in Oklahoma and Narconon of Georgia.

Best to you and your family.

First, I want to say how truly sorry I am you had to experience this nightmare. I, like you, was in a desperate situation a few months back watching my son once again relapse on oxycotin, progress to shooting it with a needle into his arm, lose 20 lbs...I really was lost. I had gone the route of the 30 day treatment centers and knew more time was needed so when my search began for another place I knew it was a longer treatment program I was after. My son also seemed to have a real aversion to AA or NA meetings...hated to sit and listen to people whine for hours about their horrible life or their horrible stepfather or whatever. I know these programs have worked for some but he truly hated listening to what he described as "loser after loser" speak even though his dad and I were certainly looking at him as one of the biggest losers around.

So...my research took me to narconon and I called several. All were very professional, there was absolutely no secrets about the money or what it cost, they were honest and told me straight the costs involved. I'm an accountant and like no surprises so I need to deal with direct people. I decided on the narconon in spring hill, Florida ultimately. I signed a detailed contract so again there were no surprises on either side...they were very upfront. My experience was much different. Detox was not a picnic but he got thru it and was in the sauna portion of the program within a week or 10 days. I was assigned a contact person and could call or text this liaison everyday while my son was in detox. They responded immediately when I made contact.

The program is a lot of mind exercises as you mentioned in your letter. Eye contact for an hour. Taking instruction to do what I may think silly such as touch the table, touch the wall, touch the table again etc. At first I questioned this tactic but now that my son has been there 4 months I see they are just trying to convert him from a weak pathetic addict who never had the self discipline to know there were limits he had to abide by when it came to drinking or drugs, to a stronger person who will be able to control that desire when he leaves that place and make better choices. I am guilty, as many of my friends are of indulging my kids way too much and they are basically spoiled weak pathetic souls compared to the mental toughness my husband and I had at their age. I'm not blaming them, Im blaming us as parents for just giving them too much and not expecting them to earn what they achieved. It was always too easy.

My brothers both went to the marines when they were 18 and was submitted to mental challenges in boot camp they still say forced them to mature and grow up beyond belief. I liken the narconon exercises to this same dicipline challenge...but without having to send them to the army today to get. I know most kids will call home from the program and complain, mine did for sure. He told me how stupid they were, what a waste of time,he was learning nothing etc etc. I had to listen and then tell him he was not quitting or would be on the streets. I told him to man up and see thus thru. I told him he certainly has not had the answers the last few years and that's why he becme a pathetic pill addict so just maybe he better become a little humble and see if there were answers somewhere else. That was 4 months ago and today he us a different person. He is taking the program slowly so still has a couple months left to finish the 8 books but his mind is sharper, he developed a discipline thru these mind exercises that he never could have imagined. But...it takes a parent who needs to realize it's not ab easy road and they can't listen to that spoiled druggy kid they dropped there convince them the program is garbage. There is not a bit of Scientology in this program so whomever says that does not know what they are talking about. I have visited my son many times and the group of kids and staff there have always been great.

I just wanted to pass along my story because I needed to let others know that narconon saved my child. I am willing to talk to any parent who wants to. I know the frustration of having a child relapse. Don't give up. If it's not narconon then do your research and find the place that fits your needs and budget. Just don't do nothing. Then when you do make the decision, cut the strings and tell your child to grow the hell up. Tell them this is draining you both emotionally and financially and to go get better but don't call to come home. It's hard I know but that tough love is finally what helped my son not walk out. He knew he couldn't return to our house if he did...and we meant it.

We just lived through this with sending a family member to Vista Bay. This is not a legitimate treatment facility!!! It is absolutely a front for the CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY!! we were lied to by every person associated with this place. They take advantage of you at your most vulnerable point. They take advantage of your loved one who is struggling by trying to convert them to Scientology!!! This is very scary and not safe for anyone struggling with drugs or alcohol. PLEASE KEEP YOUR FAMILIES SAFE AND AWAY FROM VISTA BAY IN WATSONVILLE!!!!!