Synanon

Synanon was originally founded in 1958 as a drug rehabilitation program that used a communal, confrontational approach emphasizing accountability and peer support. It evolved into a social organization that aimed to promote personal growth and social change. Over time, Synanon transformed into a controversial and legally challenged group accused of cult-like practices, including manipulation, intimidation, and abuse. Its influence declined in the 1980s, and it was eventually disbanded. Today, Synanon is remembered as a significant, though problematic, example of a movement that combined addiction treatment with complex social dynamics.