Chapter
The Troubled Teen Industry's Origins
1:12:28 - 1:16:22 (03:53)
The troubled teen industry is multimillion dollar despite its foundation being based on a treatment that doesn't work. Synanon's brutal “treatment” practices are the basis for this industry, despite the fact that its founder tried to murder a lawyer with a rattlesnake.
Clips
Synanon, founded in 1958, was an anti-drug cult that gained notoriety for its questionable tactics which included breaking down new initiates with isolation, humiliation, hard labor, and sleep deprivation.
1:12:28 - 1:14:18 (01:49)
Summary
Synanon, founded in 1958, was an anti-drug cult that gained notoriety for its questionable tactics which included breaking down new initiates with isolation, humiliation, hard labor, and sleep deprivation. Despite its association with violence and tax problems, Synanon's approach to rehabilitating drug addicts has become a major paradigm for drug recovery and therapeutic communities worldwide.
ChapterThe Troubled Teen Industry's Origins
EpisodePart Two: Synanon: The Drug Rehab Program That Built Its Own Army
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The troubled teen industry, which still exists today, has its roots in a dangerous and abusive program called Synanon, which was created to help drug addicts in the 1950s.
1:14:17 - 1:16:22 (02:04)
Summary
The troubled teen industry, which still exists today, has its roots in a dangerous and abusive program called Synanon, which was created to help drug addicts in the 1950s. Despite the program's violent practices and lack of success, it inspired the creation of other programs like The Seed and Straight, Inc., which continue to profit off of troubled teens today.