It is believed (without a shred of scientific evidence to support it) that the drug rehab program can then save this person from their internal defect and keep their destructive behavior at bay, at least for one more day.

Putting aside this common but misleading doomful hysteria, how effective are the drug and alcohol rehab programs that permeate our society. And, how does the Jude Thaddeus Program™ fare when compared to these 12 step based drug rehab programs?

Although prevalent, 12 step based drug rehabs are ineffective. When Baldwin Research Institute, Inc. conducted a survey of over sixty random drug rehab programs across the country and inquired into how they obtained their success rates, most answered by saying that conducting research to acquire sound drug rehab success rates is not necessary. The facility directors who answered in this way went on to state that success rate analysis is unnecessary because the people who “really want the program” get well, and those who are “not ready” will relapse. Thus and according to these drug rehab program directors, this faulty logic proved that there was no need to track drug rehab outcomes. This method of circular logic avoids the real question of why 80% - 95% of program graduates relapsed after being treated. The success rates for these programs are well documented at a range of 5%-20%. This is the same success rate range as no treatment at all. If only those who would have gotten sober on their own (without drug rehab treatment programs) succeed to remain sober after participating in conventional drug rehab programs, the question becomes, why do conventional drug rehab programs exist? Is there a method to help the 80%-95% who relapse after the completion of conventional programs? The answer, of course, is yes. The Jude Thaddeus program™ has had an independently verified success rate of 64%  over fifteen years.

Note: Of the three drug rehab programs that did publish success rates, two explained how their program managers (directors) called ex-patients to get an idea of who was doing well, and one program reservations spokesperson stated that they were not even sure what their program success rate was, even though their brochure and website touted a 74% rate of success! In any other circle this would be called false and misleading advertising.

Making matters even worse, many drug and alcohol rehab programs have added more confusion to the contrived complications of alcohol and drug abuse. Besides the misleading and downright fraudulent claim that alcohol and drug abuse are diseases, the myth is now further complicated by prescribing mind-altering antidepressants and antipsychotic medications that are handed out liberally by ill-informed expedient doctors.  Inexplicably these well educated “professionals” prescribe these dangerous drugs for a disease that does not exist and knowing that a common side affect is an increase risk of suicide!

With all this said, the Jude Thaddeus Program™ is not a drug or alcohol rehab. It has been well established for more than seventy years that conventional 12 step alcohol and drug rehab programs have little or no affect helping people stay sober.  In fact many independent studies report that the success rate of conventional 12 step alcohol and drug rehab programs is less than no treatment at all. That is to say that participation in conventional 12 step alcohol and drug rehab programs actually decreases the probability of becoming alcohol and drug free and remaining alcohol and drug free.  The Jude Thaddeus Program™ is an educational retreat that, as we have stated earlier, has success where other drug rehab programs fall short. Why?

First, we base all our program material on research, comprehensive education and common sense. The Jude Thaddeus Program™ is effective because it teaches permanent solutions, it builds on the hard work of maturing and changing negative habits into positive action, and it makes clear how to accept positive deferred gratification through stick-to-itiveness, and carefully constructed, goal oriented plans. Although these principles are time tested, they require work, and the willingness to change.  

Addiction is a disease – the Great American Myth.  

The Jude Thaddeus Program™ does not advocate belief in the disease of addiction myth. There is no disease of alcoholism; there is no disease of drug abuse; and, there is no disease of addiction! Therefore there is no need for drug rehab programs that waste precious time using therapy to push the disease of addiction agenda. This is just one of many areas where the Jude Thaddeus Program™ departs from conventional treatment and why the Jude Thaddeus Program™ is significantly more effective than the conventional drug and alcohol rehab treatment model. Teaching our guests to take personal responsibility for their choices rather than making excuses for choices that result in poor behavior is the cornerstone to rebuilding their life. A disease by its very nature is out of the person’s control. This is simply not the case with substance abuse. Substance abusers make the choice to abuse alcohol and drugs. The millions who stopped abusing drugs chose to stop.  Choice is a behavior, not a disease.  

Happiness  

Inherently, people want to be happy—to have joy in their life. This is why the shortcut to happiness through alcohol and drug abuse is so alluring. While this type of quick fix to happiness can, and often does, provide temporary happiness, it certainly not a pathway to sustained happiness.  The Jude Thaddeus Program™ demonstrates through an educational process that there is so much more to life than quick fixes. The program text book, The Jude Thaddeus Program™ has four themes that when completed in order, transforms lives.  The themes are:  

1. Empowerment.

“There is no disease of addiction; addiction is a habit that you have chosen. Therefore, you have the power to change this habit no matter how deep-seated you may think it is.”  

2. Analyze your entire life history, through the autobiographical process.

“Let us look together at all the counterproductive choices you have made in your life, and then, examine these patterns in minute detail.” This is completed by the end of week three and enlightens our guest as to how his (her) life became so counterproductive and in many cases destructive. This autobiography process is a means to an end. It is not meant to be dwelled upon, but rather, it is created to make it clear how choices may have slowed the maturing process and caused grief and sometimes debilitating depression.    

3. Create a comprehensive future plan built on assessed talents, positive goals and finding joy in career, as well as in family and friend relationships.

This theme provides the gateway to a new life. It is absolutely imperative that the guest have a well constructed plan before returning home. Being prepared for the future makes the transition from the program to the individual’s life at home a pleasure rather than a source of anxiety.  

4. The Jude Thaddeus Program™ offers several services that customize the program to fit the student’s needs.

Continuing Education is an additional 4 weeks of education, if needed. This program, like the 6 week Jude Thaddeus Program™, is custom tailored to the needs of our guest and provides for additional help in career development, social skills training, GED preparation and acquisition, job placement assistance, college preparation, along with a myriad of other services. Because our retreat houses have a maximum of twenty four guests per facility, the average ratio of guest to staff is one teacher for every three students. Individual classes are available when indicated.  
Summary: Post treatment success for anyone who enters a drug or alcohol rehab treatment matters. Make sure the facility you go to knows their rates of success and that they post the independent results on their website for the public to see and judge. Go to a program that bases their model on non disease based education and not the myth of addictive diseases. Make sure you look for a program that encourages a method of positive reinforcement and one that is choice based. Punitive programs little, if any, success. Lastly, let your heart guide you when making the decision on what program is right for you, your loved one, or a friend. If you do not feel as if the particular drug rehab program is the right one, do more research, as a life saved is worth the additional time and effort.

If you need more information call the St. Jude Retreat House™, at 1-888-424-2626 or Contact Us via e-mail below.