Narconon Arrowhead Drug & Alcohol Rehab

ABOUT NARCONON ARROWHEAD

Narconon Arrowhead provides a unique residential treatment program for adults struggling with substance abuse. Narconon Arrowhead in Canadian, Okla. is the program’s flagship residential facility and has been operating for more than five decades. The facility is one of only eight non-hospital residential facilities in the state to offer detox services on-site.

TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT

One of 45 non-hospital residential facilities in Oklahoma, Narconon Arrowhead uses a combination of techniques and technologies to facilitate rehabilitation through four key “steps”. The treatment process begins with a drug-free detox program.

During detox, clients are denied access to any drugs as a means of ensuring a complete and thorough detox. Clients are assigned a personal withdrawal assistant who applies different techniques and nutrition management methods to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Once clients complete the detox process, they transition into the New Life Detox phase.

In the second phase of treatment, clients begin the physical component of treatment that focuses on physical activity to cleanse clients’ bodies. Clients participate in physical exercise, as well as sauna treatments to remove trapped toxins from their bodies. During this treatment, clients also participate in a specialized nutrition plan that includes an "all natural vitamin regimen" and hydration program to keep their hydration levels properly balanced.

In the third phase of treatment, clients begin the educational component of treatment Narconon Arrowhead calls it “The Objectives” which is designed to educate clients about addiction, coping methods, and other sober living skills. Clients are cognitively reconditioned so that they are able to cope with previous experiences, identify problem behaviors, and address ongoing concerns that contribute to substance abuse. This phase of treatment focuses on creating a positive mental state for clients.

In the final phase of treatment, clients begin to learn new sober living skills that will allow them to successfully transition back into the community. Clients learn more coping skills, as well as ways to develop a sober lifestyle. Clients are also encouraged to develop a support network in their local community that is comprised of their families and community members.

STAFF CREDENTIALS

Information regarding Narconon Arrowhead’s staff is limited. A nursing staff is available 24/7 to address the medical needs of clients. The nature of the program implies that various activity leaders, nutritionists, and experienced detox managers are present throughout treatment. However, it is not possible to confirm the entire makeup of the facility’s staff.

ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES

The 250-acre, resort-like facility at Narconon Arrowhead has space for 100 residents. The interior of the facility includes a wide range of treatment-specialized areas including a treadmill gym, saunas, a common meeting area that resembles a church. The exterior of the facility is surrounded by forest and isolates the facility from the surrounding area. Clients may have access to outdoor amenities including hiking trails and outdoor lounge areas.

WHAT ALUMNI SAY

At the time of this writing, ten alumni provided feedback about Narconon Arrowhead. The feedback was mixed, though the majority of alumni polled by Rehabs.com submitted critical reviews. Six of ten respondents would not recommend the facility and only one indicated it was worth its cost. Half did not complete the program. Most alumni mentioned Scientology in their reviews, some as a warning to unaware potential clients, some as more neutral observation, and one denying its influence at the facility.

In written reviews, alumni tended to describe their experience as uncomfortable. For instance, alum S.K. reported “Staring at someone without moving for up to 2 hours.” Another alum, J.H.R. wrote: “The basis ids good for recovery, but they are all about the money.”

Five other alumni reviews represented the treatment more positively, albeit with some caveats. Alum J.C. wrote: “The program itself is very different than many other recovery methods, and much more effective.” Alum J.D.J. added: “The staff here was very helpful and completely dedicated to improving peoples lives and showing them the way to live a drug free life.”

On Google, the facility received an average of four out of five stars from 59 reviews to date.^[1] Many of the alumni praised the staff and the treatment’s effectiveness. In a representative review, alum Max wrote: “I regained my life back at Narconon, the staff is amazing and very helpful, they genuinely care about your well being and they will equipped you with tool to make better decision in the future, the facilities are of top quality as well as the food, definitely the best decision me and my family ever did for my future.”

WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY

At the time of this writing, 10 loved ones submitted feedback about Narconon Arrowhead. The feedback was generally positive, and nearly all described both the effects and the approach of the program positively. Structure, helpfulness, open communication, and complete detoxification were cited as strengths.

One satisfied relative did identify a weakness as “Owned by Scientologists,” while another family member reported that none of the staff had informed them about the religious connection. "It worked for my loved one. It was very clean and beautifully located. They used some strange strategies," another loved one wrote.

The seven loved ones polled by Rehabs.com on the matters gave moderate ratings for the amount of family participation, though gave highly positive ratings for the facility's cleanliness and holistic offerings.

Holistic Offerings: 4.9/5
Cleanliness and Upkeep: 4.1/5
Family Participation: 3.4/5

WHAT STAFF SAY

One employee provided a survey response to Rehabs.com. They recommend the facility, rating honesty and the experienced medical staff at four out of five stars. The staff member rated the addiction staff’s experience three out of five stars.

FINANCING

Treatment costs between $15,000 and $30,000 for 90 days, and no insurance plans are accepted.

CONCLUSION

Numerous lawsuits have been filed against Narconon Arrowhead in recent years. In 2014, the Tulsa World reported on a suit filed by a National Association of Counselors alleging a false claim of accreditation. The article noted that among 10 other lawsuits, “wrongful deaths, negligence, (and) fraud” were claimed.

An Oklahoma-based independent journalism website, NonDoc, ran an October 2015 story further addressing new licensing, as well as mentioning at least three deaths at the facility since 2011.

In August 2018, the Department of Labor began investigating a pair of wage claims against the facility.

^[1] GoogleReviews