Saint Jude Retreat Expert Reviews

World Renowned Addictions Experts Agree..."The St. Jude Program Remains the Most Effective Program in the Country."

David J. Hanson, Ph.DState University of New York at Potsdam."It's understandable why people struggling with alcohol and drug problems often feel helpless and hopeless. The message usually given to them is not only incorrect but often counterproductive- it's frequently worse than doing nothing. The vast majority of alcohol and drug treatment programs are unsuccessful with most people because they are based on false assumptions and use questionable techniques. However, the Saint Jude Program, which is based on scientific evidence, smashes that rigid mold. Instead of teaching people that they are powerless, it helps them to harness their internal drive and power, to apply that power in an effective way, and to build the life they want".Dr. Hanson's Video Review

Laurel Sharmer, PhD, MPH, CHES (ret)State University of New York at Potsdam."For more than a century, American society has treated excess alcohol and drug use as an illness in need of treatment, and this attitude has brought about a multi-billion dollar treatment and "rehab" industry. But after decades of providing treatment, the public health figures remain unchanged: cirrhosis of the liver continues to be one of the top ten causes of death among Americans, with alcoholism being the primary contributing factor; nearly one-third of traffic fatalities are caused by drunken driving; fetal alcohol syndrome remains the number one cause of preventable birth defects in the US; and families continue to be torn apart by alcohol and drug addiction. Clearly, the treatment model doesn't work. The St. Jude Retreats offer not treatment but a path to long-term personal strength and confidence. Independent professional evaluations of the program have shown it is remarkably effective in helping individuals break out of the revolving door of helpless dependence on the treatment system and an external "power." The large majority of those who complete the program find they can indeed overcome physical addictions and achieve their long-term goals of life happiness and self efficacy".Dr. Sharmer's Video Review

Kenneth Anderson, MAFounder and CEO of - Harm Reduction for Alcohol - (HAMS)"St. Jude's is the only addiction program that I know of in the US which hires an independent research corporation to track their success rates and publishes all the data for everyone to see on the World Wide Web. This is amazing in an industry where fudged data is the standard. St. Jude's can do this because the success rate is high and the dropout rate is low.Research demonstrates that increasing self-efficacy is the best way to help a person overcome an addiction and move on with building a life. Twelve step programs destroy self-efficacy by telling people that they will die unless they admit they are powerless. Twelve step programs trap people into an endless cycle of rehabs and AA meetings. The St. Jude Program, by way of contrast, enables people to resolve their problems permanently and move on with their lives. I am happy to recommend the St. Jude Program to anyone who is seeking a residential program to overcome their addictions

Dr. Joy BrowneNationally Syndicated Radio Talk Show Host and Clinical Psychologist"At last, a program for addiction that acknowledges choice and responsibility and can really work. I liked it so much, I agreed to voice the Audio Book for the Saint Jude Home Program"

Dr. Joy has won numerous awards for her work including the American Psychological Associations President's Award, the Talkers Magazine award for Best Female Talk Show Host, #10 on the list of the 25 Greatest Radio Talk Show Hosts of All Time, and has been named one of the 100 Most Influential Talk Show Hosts. She has been singled out for News/Talk National Personality of the Year as well as Syndicated Talk Show of the Year by Radio & Records Magazine every year since the list was formed.Additionally, Dr. Joy has been a guest on numerous popular television shows such as Lou Dobbs Tonight, The Early Show, Oprah Winfrey and Larry King Live.