Synanon in Germany: An Example of a Residential Self-Help Organization for Drug Dependent Individuals
Frederic Fredersdorf
DOI: 10.2190/YGUX-TN9D-XJNK-U7PY
Abstract
Synanon is the major residential self-help organization (SHO) for drug dependent individuals in Germany. Synanon can be regarded as the prototype of German residential self-help. This article provides an overview of Synanon s history and social life. Further, by summarizing the main results of two studies about German Synanon (Fredersdorf, 1994, 1997), this article demonstrates how Synanon spawns other therapeutic communities as well as has psychological and social effects on participants. The article closes with suggestions for further social research on German SHOs. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.