Editing Synanon (section)

== Practices ==

Entrance into the Synanon community required a strong initial commitment. Newcomers were first interviewed by Synanon leadership to gain entrance into the community.<ref name="janzen" /> Upon their arrival, those newcomers were forced to quit using drugs [[cold turkey]], going through [[Drug withdrawal|withdrawal]] for the first few days in the program.<ref name="sternberg">Sternberg, David. "Synanon House – A Consideration for Its Implications on American Correction". ''Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology, and Police Science'' 54.4 (1963): n.p. Print.</ref> Furthermore, for their first ninety days in the community, members were expected to cease contact with outside friends and family.<ref name="janzen" />

During its first decade, Synanon members entered a 1–2-year program in three stages aimed at preparing them to reenter society. During the first stage, members did community and housekeeping labor. During the second stage, members worked outside the community but still resided within it. Finally, during the third stage, members both worked and lived outside of the community, but still attended regular meetings.<ref name="sternberg" /> After Synanon's transition into an alternate society in 1968, this program changed to a "lifetime rehabilitation" program, with the premise that drug addicts would never truly be well enough to return to society.<ref name="ofshe" />

One of the most distinguishing practices of the Synanon community was a therapeutic practice commonly referred to as "The Game". The Game was a session during which one member would talk about themselves and then endure intense criticism by their peers.<ref name="simon">"Synanon: Toward Building a Humanistic Organization". Journal of Humanistic Psychology 18.3 (1978): 3–20. Web.</ref> During this practice, members were encouraged to be critical of everything, using harsh and profane language.<ref name="janzen" /> The practice has been characterized as a form of [[attack therapy]].<ref name="HelpingPeopleChange"/> Outside of The Game, members were required to act civilly to each other. While in The Game, members criticized each other but left as friends and supportive community members.<ref name=simon/> The Game served not only as Synanon's most prominent form of therapy and personal change, but also as a way for leaders to gather community members' opinions. Because there was no hierarchy in The Game, members could freely criticize Synanon's highest leadership, who would then take member concerns into consideration when deciding policy.<ref name=janzen/><ref name=simon/> The Game evolved into a 72-hour version and was acknowledged by Dederich as brainwashing. The Game was eventually used to pressure people to submit to Dederich's will, abort pregnancies, undergo vasectomies, and commit violence.<ref name="longform.org" />

Over time, Dederich's vision of Synanon evolved, and he began to envision the group's potential to promote social progress. Synanon began providing education for members, and Dederich wanted members to undergo mental change to improve society on the outside. The school was headed by Al Bauman, who believed in an innovative philosophy and aimed to teach children in the same manner to think differently. The school attracted lawyers, screenwriters, and business executives, all wanting to educate their children in a progressive environment.<ref name=":0" />