Book 4A & 4B: Communication and Perception Course
This course constitutes a major portion of the Narconon drug rehab program. For many people, it will also constitute a major turning point for them personally. There are two parts to this course - the first part is made up of the same communications skills that were included on the first step of this program. In the second part, two students coach each other through an extensive series of perception and self-control exercises that are essential parts of repairing the damage done by drugs.
The First Part
This is where the thirteen communications skills exercises are completed by each student. But this time, each student practices these communication skills to a higher competence. When he (or she) is coaching another student through Part II, he must know how to maintain calmness and self-control even if the other student is resistant or distracted. As he learns these skills, he also increases his own self-control and confidence.
The Second Part
This is where two students help each other gain more ability to control their actions and their thoughts and improve their perceptions of the real world. Families see that a loved one who abuses drugs or alcohol loses his perceptions of what is real. This lack of awareness can be extremely dangerous, particularly when a person is driving, using tools or operating machinery. An addicted person can harm another person in the environment through his lack of awareness.
On the other hand, it seems like drugs take control of an addicted person. When he gets up in the morning, often the first thing he thinks about is how he is getting his drugs for the day. It can seem impossible to divert one’s attention to the welfare of one’s children or to holding down a good job. Through these exercises, it is possible to reclaim one’s attention and get one’s actions under one’s own control, one step at a time.
The turn-about nature of these exercises means that each person has a chance to help another person recover from the damage done by drug abuse. This itself is therapeutic for a person in recovery, as he has usually done far more harm than good for the duration of his addiction.
The Results of this Course
This kind of improvement takes time. There are many exercises to be done, each one producing a distinct change. In individual cases, there may be additional perception exercises assigned to help a person deal with his particular trauma or history.
It is typical for people on this course to make statements like these:
“I really felt a change come over me. I saw myself in a way that I never had before. I am so much more happy and confident than I’ve ever been in my life.” S.B.
“I can honestly say how much more I am aware of my surroundings now and also how easy it has become to think clearly and rationally before I make a decision in my life.” N.M.
“I’ve looked at myself daily and say, ‘Wow,’ look at what I’ve become and what I’m capable of. The feeling of having total control and being able to decide what’s right and wrong without hesitation is priceless. I’ve found myself and love myself and really, honestly, couldn’t be happier with my progress, my life, my capabilities and my honesty! I really am somebody special and that’s probably my biggest win ever!” J.B.
Full Life-Skills Program Courses