New Documentary 'Born in Synanon' Sheds Light on Abusive Cult

The series, premiering on Paramount+, explores the transformation of the California-based addiction recovery group into a violent cult through the eyes of a woman born into it.

• Synanon, originally a California-based addiction recovery group, turned into an abusive cult as its founder, Charles Dederich, descended into violent paranoia and alcohol abuse.
• The cult is the subject of a new documentary series, 'Born in Synanon', premiering on Paramount+.
• The series is largely a personal reminiscence of Cassidy Arkin, a woman who was born into Synanon and initially viewed the group with rose-tinted glasses.
• Synanon began as a utopian drug rehabilitation community in 1958, but devolved into a wealthy quasi-religious group with Dederich as its godhead in the 1970s.
• Members were subjected to 'The Game', a form of shouting attack therapy, and the group was known for violent threats against its foes.

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