It Is Possible to Be Drug Free. Narconon Europe Brings Hope to a Growing Problem
There is a dark cloud looming large over this storybook nation, especially for the young Danes who are vulnerable to peer pressure and the lure of alcohol and drugs.
Denmark is a beautiful country, loved by its people and the millions of visitors who come every year to admire its beauty and culture. Danes are known for their respect for nature, their creativity, and their innovation the world over.
It's a place where ideas can thrive and come to life, where the tradition of storytelling is a favorite national pastime, and where trust is a cornerstone of the culture.
But there is a dark cloud looming large over this storybook nation, especially for the young Danes who are vulnerable to peer pressure and the lure of alcohol and drugs.
The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction cited a 2017 general population survey whereby almost half of young adults aged 16-34 years reported lifetime use of cannabis, with those aged 16-24 years reporting the highest last year prevalence of cannabis use. It further stated that drug use is concentrated among young people, and experimentation with illicit drugs peaks at 16-19 years.
As for alcohol abuse amongst teens, it is a common issue across the globe, but in Denmark, teens between the ages of 15 to 17 years-old are the heaviest drinkers for their age in Europe according to a recent ESPAD (European School Survey on Alcohol and Other Drugs) report.
Based on these findings, 73% of Danish teens had consumed alcohol in the previous month compared to 48% of teens throughout the EU. 1-in-3 teens admitted to being completely intoxicated during that period – three times the average of other European countries.
What can be done?
The answer is twofold:
- First: education for youth who can still be reached and turned around before they start using
- Second: drinking and rehabilitation services for those who have fallen prey to the trap of addiction.
For five years now, Narconon Europe, based in Helsinge, Denmark, has approached this problem from both sides. They have offered their educational services to raise awareness and help youth and adults make responsible decisions about addictive substances and they have provided substance abuse treatment services to those who want to build a new life free of drugs and crime.
Here’s just one example of a young man going through the Narconon program in Denmark:
“Becoming addicted to drugs affected my life both physically and mentally, but one is not always really aware of how bad the situation is and at first, I was very reluctant to do a rehab program.
“As the program got underway, my first realization was that while one is intoxicated, even the little things in life make a very big difference in changing your mood and your state of mind and body. I began to sleep well and eat well. I started to feel more confident, and I started to remember who I really am and what I am capable of.
“After that came what I consider the most important and unique part of the program—the sauna.
“The sauna helps you get rid of the residual toxins in the body and gives you back the stamina and energy that you had and that you forgot about in all the years you were using drugs. It’s a very rejuvenating process that is incredibly beneficial for anyone.
“But the program is not only about that. There are further processes and life skills courses that will help you become confident, positive, strong and assertive in any society or environment.
“In short, every step of the Narconon Program is important and each one prepares you to overcome any obstacles you might face in the future.”
—Program Graduate
The Narconon program elements include a Drug-free Withdrawal for each participant with personal Withdrawal Specialists on hand to assist 24 hours a day and ensure the person is comfortable and able to rest. The New Life Detoxification program which combines exercise, sweating in a dry heat sauna and a nutritional regimen to rebuild the body and restore its natural balance. The Objectives processes, procedures that direct a person’s attention away from past memories and onto the present and immediate surroundings. And the final step of the program is Life Skills courses that enable a person to better communicate with their family and friends and allow them to regain their self-respect and to trust others again.
The Narconon Europe facility lies secluded on 6.3 hectares outside Helsinge on beautiful Lake Arresø. It is an ideal setting for the one-on-one care and personalized attention that is essential to the Narconon program.
Narconon Europe and its staff stand ready to help individuals and families address the very real and present problem of addiction.
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