Mark W Scheeren

Mark Scheeren co-founded Baldwin Research Institute, Inc. (BRI) and the Freedom Model Retreats, the first non-12 step model for drug and alcohol problems in America. As a BRI Research Fellow, he is the co-author of the revolutionary book, The Freedom Model for Addictions. Mark is the only addictions researcher in the world to have studied individuals with substance use issues by living with the study subjects for a period of twelve years. "This was the only way to truly understand the issues...See more

Mark Scheeren co-founded Baldwin Research Institute, Inc. (BRI) and the Freedom Model Retreats, the first non-12 step model for drug and alcohol problems in America. As a BRI Research Fellow, he is the co-author of the revolutionary book, The Freedom Model for Addictions. Mark is the only addictions researcher in the world to have studied individuals with substance use issues by living with the study subjects for a period of twelve years. "This was the only way to truly understand the issues concerning this population, and to build solutions that actually promoted success. This effort created the knowledge base for the foundation of The Freedom Model for Addictions, that being: free-will, autonomy and the Positive Drive Principle." As a noted 12 step historian, Mr. Scheeren is an expert on the falsity of the disease concept and the failings of the 12 step paradigm as a whole. Mark is well known in alcohol and drug research circles for his courageous and outspoken public service campaigns: "Treatment Doesn't Work!" and "Addiction Treatment Doesn't Help Addicts, It Creates Them!" Mark is also known for his fearlessness in saying provocative and controversial statements as a means to create debate in the addiction field: "The disease concept of addiction is the greatest lie ever told to the American Public in the last 100 years." "When we posted, 'Treatment Doesn't Work!' on our website for the first time in the late nineties, two things happened: we received more hate mail than in all the years previously combined, and our non-12 step retreats filled up in less than 30 days. Both were fantastic indicators that we were saying the right thing!" "There are three types of AA members: those who are the gurus and never leave; those who believe and follow the gurus, and are in and out; and those who leave for good. Only the last group is a success of AA." Mark's expertise has been quoted in such publications as People Magazine, NY Post, Ok! Magazine, as well as various online publications. Mark is also a naturalist and his other hobbies include reading, hiking, boxing, and big-game hunting. Mark lives in NY with his wife, Danielle, and has three wonderful children: Austin, Gabrielle, and Joey. See less