Synanon: CharlesDederich, Sr.

The influence and culture of the Synanon organization, which was founded by Charles Dederich Sr., started as a drug rehabilitation program in the late 1950’s. Through their progression into the early 1990’s, this organization transformed from what started as Alcoholic and Narcotics Anonymous meetings in Dederich’s apartment to a group with religious purpose, belief and influence to what many refer to as the most dangerous and violent cult in America.

Its’ founder Dederich (1913-1997) was a reformed alcoholic who later became an active AA member, “giving evangelistic speeches at numerous meetings” (The Rise and Fall of Synanon). Dederich also participated in experimental LSD tests, which upset members of his AA group. However, while subject to these experiments, Dederich came to the conclusion that drug addicts should be in programs, “To develop self-reliance rather than dependence on a higher being” (The Rise and Fall of Synanon). Dederich started a group, named TLC for Tender Loving Care, which operated out of a storefront in Santa Monica. They facilitated a massive change in the rehabilitation scene by getting themselves clean without the use of psychotherapists or experts. Using this system, they monitored one another and created a community of support and resources where addicts could go to get cleaned. Dederich being credited for the recovery and sobriety of many individuations, continued to develop the methods of the organization on a more permanent basis.

While his philosophy seemed admirable Tender Loving Care, later named Synanon, pushed their methods to the extremes when deciding that ex-addicts weren’t fit to return back to a normal functioning society and eliminated the option of graduating out of the program. While Synanon was founded on the principle of treating addicts of all substances, Dederich’s mission of creating a society that would unify into a social movement and alternate society began to rise. During this time, the organization expanded and the businesses associated with Synanon flourished in Oakland, San Francisco and Badger, California. Synanon became the home to many schools, businesses, residential living areas and later a religion.

It was in the early 1970’s, Synanon amended their Articles of Incorporation to establish religious purpose amongst the organization. Once established as a religion, Dederich created a stricter environment for the organization. This change was due to the group’s practices, which began to come into question from the local community as they became more world denying than world affirming. As paranoia grew, Synanon installed their own armed security, and stories began to circulate of their use of violence within their organization and the outside community. Their armed security was known as the Imperial Marines.

After several inquiries into their practices and financial holdings, Board of Directors passed declaration which made Synanon a religious affiliation in 1974. Synanon eventually progressed to an organization of crime and violence which lead to the arrest of Dederich whom was later released on probation on the terms of not returning back to Synanon. This later was the cause of the group falling apart without its’ leader.

Blog #3

Reflecting on this past semester, I have learned a lot about so many different religions. The three religions that caught my attention the most were the Branch Davidians, The Peoples Temple and Synanon. I used to think of religion as a belief in a God, but I’ve learned that a religion does not need to have a God figure. Religion is way more than that. Synanon was considered a religion, but Synanon was different than any other form of religion out there. In the beginning Synanon had so many good qualities. It was a rehabilitation program that was very successful. Unfortunately many things changed and Synanon became violent.

I loved listening to the story of our guest speaker. To me it was interesting to hear how she thought her way of life when she was in Synanon was normal. What interested me was that she said that people could come and go from Synanon more freely then what I thought about in the beginning. She said that she tried to escape once from Synanon, but was brought back. She also mentioned how all the kids were left in a facility to be raised by a community. She said that at 6 months children were left in the facility full time without their parents. She also mentioned that parents would barely visit their children. This sadden me because how can a parent not have a bond with its child? When I heard her talk about her relationship with her mother I thought it was a bit odd because she and her mother remember their relationship in Synanon very differently. Her mother thinks that she was more involved in their life, while the guest speaker though she was not involved at all. Another thing she said that caught my attention was how all of her friends from back then, including her, are now entrepreneurs. What does that mean? To me it means that Synanon trained their kids to not settle and be the best they can be. When it comes to schooling, the guest speaker said that Synanon would not have school like we now have. She said that Synanon would bring in guest speakers. They would also have full weeks of full lecture for long hours and some days they just didn’t have any school activities. The activities would be hands on. The children would have guest speakers, videos and readings. She mentioned that the people who were teaching were teachers who came from the outside with Ph.Ds. she said that they received the best of education. When it came to the game, the guest speaker said how the children in Synanon had to also play the game. The children were expected to play the game, but most of the time the instructions of the game were not followed. The guest speaker mentioned that kids would bring the game outside of their sessions and that there would be no supervision on the games for them. Bringing the game to their regular life, I think, would affect the children because they would hold grudges and would affect relationships.

California has so much history in religion. California was home to the Peoples Temple as well as Synanon. One of the things that I really appreciated about Synanon is that it happened in Santa Monica, California. Most of the people who I have talked about Synanon have never even heard of Synanon. I personally enjoyed researching a religion that happened here in California. Is something that if I pass by Santa Monica I would like to stop and see how their facilities look like now. Another thing I can appreciate about Synanon is that it has helped me grow as a researcher. There is not a lot of information about Synanon so people have to research for a lot more information than they would for Mormons or Catholics.