Narconon Graduate Overcomes Heroin Addiction

Life is filled with obstacles. When you add addiction to the load of obstacles in life, you just make things harder on yourself. That’s what I did. I made life so hard for myself that I was sick and tired of living. I was suicidal and angry. The only time I wasn’t thinking about killing myself was when I was high because obviously, when you are high on heroin, you aren’t even thinking. My grandmother couldn’t take it anymore. She told me the stress was killing her and that if I loved her I would at least try Narconon. So, I entered this program and each time I was ready to quit and bail I imagined just how it would break my grandma’s heart. She’s the only family I have and she has never stopped loving me. So, I continued through the program even though I was dying to quit. I’m so happy I didn’t. I’ve been at Narconon for three months and I am no longer that suicidal and angry person. My grandma visited me and she is beyond thrilled at how I’ve changed. She said she has never been prouder of me. I cried like a baby when I saw her but I’ve finally become a real man. I am a responsible, sober adult thanks to my grandmother, the Narconon staff, and the Narconon program.

Y. R.

Someone Who Has Faith in Life Again - Narconon Graduate

My first day at Narconon I was greeted by Joe, who I owe everything to for getting me here. Then I started to meet the rest of the staff who smiled and assured me that everything was going to be ok. But I was shaking on the inside and when my dad was leaving, all I wanted to do was cry and jump back in the car with him. All I knew was that I didn't want to be alone, but I wasn't...

Everything happened so fast and the next thing I knew I was on the assist table getting a body comm from a withdrawal specialist. Somehow they pulled me out of my fears and I managed to fall asleep that first night. The next couple of days were hard. I was still lonely and frustrated but I wasn't alone and scared anymore if that makes any sense. I felt some comfort knowing the people I was surrounded by were going to do everything in their power to help me and get me through and that is what stuck with me through my entire program. Knowing no matter what, there was this amazing staff of people who wanted nothing but the best for me.

When something begins you generally have no idea how it's going to end. The place you never wanted to come becomes your home. The roommates you are forced to live with become your family and the thing you thought you could never live without becomes the thing you hate most (alcohol). One thing is for certain, the future isn't always how you imagined.

I came to Narconon the day after Thanksgiving, scared and uncertain of what my life would become. I drank for so many years that I couldn't really fathom a life without it. I had become so dependent on it for everything, for comfort, for solace, for excitement, and for a chance to feel something....anything at all.

I truly believed any chance I had at being myself again had come and gone. My family had tried over and over again to get me out of my funk. They sent me to other rehabs (inpatient and outpatient). They loved me and stood by me but nothing ever sustained. There were times where I'd do good, get a job, work hard, feel up to anything and then in the blink of an eye it was gone again. I just didn't believe life would be good again. And then I stepped through the doors of Narconon and day by day, everything changed. Starting from the communication exercises to sauna, to all the books, every aspect of this program helped bring me back to the person I am today. Someone who got her confidence and compassion for others, someone who can laugh at the small things, but most importantly someone who has faith in life again.

- M.A. - Narconon graduate

Thanks to Narconon

Three and a half years ago I sat in front of my computer lost, hopeless and desperate, facing new Federal drug charges and with a sliver of a chance of keeping my freedom, I began a search. I was looking for any answer other than the same old ones I’d been failing at for years. No one believed in me, not even my own kids. I found Narconon. The site said I didn’t have to be an addict. It told me I didn’t have a chronic disease. It said there is a cure. Within days I came to Narconon with the permission of my judge.

Today I raise my family. We are strong and healthy. We are tightly involved and respected within our community. My relationships with my mom and my kids have been rebuilt to trusting loving relationships. Today I know myself. I own myself. Thanks, thanks, thanks to Narconon for giving me that.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you Narconon

I came into Narconon with my life overpowered by drugs. I had lost all hope and direction of what I thought my life was supposed to be. I found Narconon online and after investigation my family and I unanimously agreed Narconon was the program for which we had been looking.

I came to Narconon on my birthday, and my journey began. Upon arrival I was instantly welcomed by staff and students. Immediately I could tell that Narconon was different than all other previous experiences of treatment. After coming down from withdrawal I was unsure of what to expect. I went through the program with an open mind and a willingness to change. I found myself going through each step of the program, the wins and personal gains I was attaining continued to reinforce the thought that I was in the right place. I had many ups and downs but the staff and students were always there to help me through.

I have made a total turnaround in my life and I couldn't have done it without Narconon. They have helped me rebuild a new life from the ground up. It feels so great to finally understand who I am. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Narconon, I owe you my life.

I am Very Thankful That I Came To Narconon

Narconon helped me get my life back on track. The reason I came to Narconon was because my parents knew that I was on a very destructive path and they had been desperately searching for a place that could help me learn to live my life without drugs and the deep depression I had each day. I will never forget the day that I called my dad and told him that I have had enough of the life that I was living and did not want to continue destroying my life and pushing away people I loved. I had been doing drugs for 10 years and this would be my second time asking my dad to help me go to rehab. He didn't even hesitate. He said that he had found this place on the internet and that it dealt with the things I had going on in my life. The extreme depression and the drugs had brought me to my lowest point. I left the next day after talking to my dad. I was on a plane to Narconon.

I didn't know what to expect, but as soon as I got to the baggage claim, the Narconon driver was there. He greeted me warmly and drove me to Narconon. Right away I knew this place was different. The moment I walked in the door I saw the other students that were there. They were happy and holding their heads up. The staff was warm and friendly and were always there, even on breaks. I never wanted to be here, but after a week I knew it was the place that would save me. I made the best friends I have ever had there, people that like me for who I am not for what I have.

I made it through the program and it was hard. I am glad it was because if it felt easy, I never would have tried. I went home after graduation and got to see my son. I had not seen him in 5 months and I was so happy that I cried. He even called me daddy. I think that was my biggest win from coming to Narconon. My mind is finally clear enough to care and love. I found myself and I know who I am. I am a father, brother, son, and grandson. I am a person again and I enjoy life. I am finally happy. -DL

I Learned at Narconon that I Have Confidence in Myself

I came to Narconon in a state similar to everyone else that enters a drug rehab, desperate for help from being broken down by self-inflicted actions. I was unable to deal with life. Getting high was my number one priority. I had a life that appeared great outside using drugs but I was not progressing and every aspect of it was deteriorating. I had no idea how to get back on track. I tried everything available with no success until I came to Narconon.

Although at first I was very skeptical, I didn't believe the program was going to work for me. I even contemplated leaving to go get high. Thanks to the staff and students that convinced me to stay a little bit longer.

I began to feel myself changing into a new person. That no longer relied on substance abuse as a means of survival. The information that I learned at Narconon was really working for me. It helped me find who I am and what my purpose in life is.

After leaving Narconon I have been able to face life and enjoy every minute of it. Since I ahve a passion for fitness and health I got a job at a gym, where I will become a personal trainer. This will allow me to make enough money to go back to school and work towards a degree in sports medicine.

I learned at Narconon that I have confidence in myself, a new-found method of working life in order to be as successful as possible. I have found new sober friends that are good for my recovery, my relationship with my mom is better than ever and I am happier and healthier than I ever have been in my life.

I owe it all to the Narconon program and the Narconon staff. To be a successful student of Narconon I believe you need to be open minded to the program, be willing to take what it has to offer and apply it to your life, have the deep desire to want to be a new person and nothing can stop you!

- C.B.

Five Years After Narconon

In December of 2000, an innocent 15 year old girl was introduced to her best friend. That innocent girl was me, and that best friend was crystal meth. Little did I know at the time, that my life would spin into a downward spiral, and that I had opened a door that lead to lies, pain and deceit.

I became addicted to meth. I spent the next four years of my life enslaved to this drug. Every move I made, every lie I spoke and every breath I took revolved around satisfying the intense urge tht brewed inside of me. That once innocent girl I was, turned into a beast that would lie to, hurt, steal from, cheat on and manipulated those who loved me most just to succeed in getting that "fix" I so longed for.

In October of 2004 everything seemed to have caved in on me. I had been cut off from my family, I was homeless, I had been in and out of six rehabs, and worst of all I completely let myself down. I had gone against every ounce of ethics I had, I had destroyed my morals and my body itself was deteriorating before my very eyes...and I was only 19 years old. It was time to get help.

With the help of my family I was brought to Narconon. Although I was ready to leave my old life behind, I was apprehensive. I didn't know how this rehab would be any different. I didn't know how this rehab would save me, when all the others have failed. I had so many questions that only time would answer. And, I got my answers.

This program gave me my life back, and much, much more. I learned so much about myself throughout my journey at Narconon. It was the first time I was presented with logical information that would guide me, step by step, to a clean and sober life. I was able to identify thee problems in my life that may have contributed to my drug use. I was able to confront situations I had been hiding from for so long. I learned exactly what I needed to do in order to be habby and prosperous in life. I was supplied with information that was easy for me to relate to my life. For the first time in years I felt truly satisfied with my life, and the void I so desperately tried to fill by using was slowly starting to fill up.

I graduated Narconon in January of 2005. The day I graduated, I knew I had my life back. It was a new beginning for me, and I knew exactly what I needed to do to continue progressing in life, thants to the simple tools I got form Narconon.

Here I am, five years later sharing my success story. My life couldn't be better now. I have everything I could ever want, and most importantly I am free from the struggles of drug addiction. I have an amazing job and I am able to touch lives, the way mine was touched, instill hope in people who are in the positiion I was once in. Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for what I have achieved since the day I first stepped foot at Narconon.

I am finally happy, I am finally free.

More than a Decade of Sobriety thanks to Narconon

Dear Narconon,

I am writing in because I wanted to express my sincere thanks and gratitude for you and your staff helping me to become sober. I have been completely clean for over a decade now, and while I don't constantly think about it because it's no longer an issue for me, every time I see news stories about people continually relapsing I wish I could tell them that they have a better chance at making it by going to a Narconon program.

When I went to the Narconon center I was in my early 20's and I thought I knew everything. Like most other people at the program needed help, I was difficult and tried to get out of facing the truth. I tried convincing my parents that there was something wrong with the place and that I had 'learned my lesson' and wouldn't do that anymore, etc. But thankfully the staff stuck with me and convinced me to stay and for my parents to try and weed through what was real and what was just an escape maneuver.

I remember thinking that 3 months or more was like the end of the world, and that I would miss out on so much! But in actuality, I grew up more during those 3 months than I did my entire high school and college careers, and learned more about life in the process! For me, Narconon was and is so much more than a rehabilitation program - it's about helping people to get a good, clean foundation to start from and then providing tools and guidance for them to achieve whatever they truly want in life by making good decisions.

And, while the suana detox program at Narconon was absolutely amazing, what really stuck with me most was how honesty and doing the right thing, though sometimes difficult, will be much more rewarding in the end. I also learned ways that I could always better my condition in any area of life, which has helped trememdously.

So, for anyone out there having second thoughts about going to Narconon for any reason, all I can say is that there are no other rehabs in the country that offer as much for you as an individual thant the Narconon program.

Sincerely,

L.A.

I Am Not Exaggerating When I Say that Narconon Saved My Life

My name is Matt and I graduates from the Narconon program in December of 2006. The story of my life does not differe much from other addicts. I began experimenting with weed at the age of 11 and was using hard drugs, such as cocaine and meth, by the time I was 16; by my early twenties I had embraced the entire drug lifestyle. I was selling, stealing, fighting and it seemed like nothing fell outside of my own ethical boundaries. Sometimes I would disappear from my house for days on end without as much as a phone call letting my parents know I was alive. As my druga ddiction grew I began to question whether this experimental stage in my life was turning into something else, so I decided to pick up and move. Things went well in the biginning, I had been clean for ab out four months, and then I began gravitating towar the same types of people I had left behind in my home town. Although I did not realize it at the time, I was just continuing down the same destructive path as before.

I was now 22 and I started using at full speed. Even though I was the type of person who would do any drug, cocaine was my drug of choice. After about six months I was completely back into my old habits, only now I was living on my own and had no parents around to keep me in check. I was snorting cocaine every day and was using meth a couple of times a week. Putting all of those drugs up your nose takes its toll and finally one of my so-called friends talked me into smoking crack. I had always said that I would never be stupid enough to do anything like crack or heroin, but there I was justifying using it for the sake of saving my nose. The thought of just quitting never entered my mind. So it went, and the downward spiral of my life sped up at an alarming rate over the next year. one day I found jail release papers in my pants pocket and I was unable to remember the events which they cited. sitting, reading the list of charges it was as if I was just then becoming aware of them, but still did not care about the consequences awaiting me in court. The only thing that did matter to me was keeping my supply of durgs up and scheming on ways to achieve my goal. Toward the end I reached a point of apathy, where I didn't care if I died or got locked up in jail. It didn't matter to me I just wanted this vicious cycle to end. Finally, my parents arranged for me to go to Narconon. They drove to my house one night, threw some clothes ina garbage bag for me and brought me to the center.

After a couple of days sobering up and catching up on sleep I was motivated enought to get through the program. Right off the bat things didn't seem to be going as smoothly as I had expected. I reacted as any normal drug addict would; I flipped out and wanted to leave. Instead of allowing me to quit one of the staff members pulled me off to the side and calmed me down. he explained to me that most of the students react this way and that it would get easier as time went on. Normally I would have not even givent this guy a chance to talk, but just knowing that he had gone through the program himself gave him credibility. so I took his advice, which was a big deal for me because trust is hard to come by in the drug world, as time went on things did get easier. I began to adjust to the daily schedule and my emotional swings began to subside. I finished the program in four and a half months. The average time it takes for someone to finish the program is about three months and some change, so I had seen quite a few fellow students come and go before it was my turn to graduate.

Before entering the program I would have felt like I was being treated unfairly or that I had someone been cheated into staying there longer, but I was seeing things differently. I felt that I had more to get out of the program and was glad that the staff didn't let me off easily. I had wanted to get clean for the last few years of my addiction, but did not know how to do it. Narconon taught me to take control of my life and how to avoid the negative situations in which I constantly found myself. I learned that staying sober required an entire lifestyle change and I felt confident that I was prepared to make that change. I am not exaggerating when I ay that Narconon saved my life because there were only two other paths my life could have taken; jail or death.

I keep my certificate of completion on the wall above my bed. It serves as a reminder of where I have been and how much I have changed; I have only been clean for a little more than two years. That time in my life seems worlds away. Following my graduation I immediately applied to the local community college. I never thought I was very bright when it came to school, but something had changed. Getting through the Narconon program takes a lot of work and the schoolwork I was getting seemed to pale in comparison. I have earned an Associate's Degree and am currently at a four-year university working on a Bechelor's in Marketing.

When I tell people about my past they always give me the same reaction, at first they always think that I am joking, but after they realize I'm not they say that they can't see me doing those kinds of things. When I look back on my past I can barely believe it myself. My personality has done a complete 180, I cannot even recognize the person that I used to be. I don't even know. Having cimpassion for others actually makes me happy. I know that these little things will probably not make up for the horrible things that I have done in my past, but I can't look at it that way. All of my past negative actions have already been committed and there is nothing I can do about it now. The only thing that I can do is concentrate on what I do today. I can go on forever about how my life has changed, but I think I have gotten my point across.

Narconon has given me a second chance and I cannot thank the staff and fellow students who helped me get through at tough time enough. Finally, I would like to thank my parents for getting me into the program and pushing me to finish, without their support I do not think I would have been able to turn my life around.

Narconon Was the Best Choice I Could Have Made

Before coming to Narconon I had been struggling with drug addiction for 8 years. I had somewhat of an extensive criminal record. I had been in over 10 different rehabilitation centers, some of which I had gone back to numerous times. My family was in total support of me getting clean, but would not support me in my drug addiction, which left me homeless for much of the time that I was using.

Every treatment center that I went to had the same goal as Narconon, to free me from drug addiction and deliver me to my family a sober individual. I was put on medications that temporarily solved my problem, but once I was off of them I would find myself back on drugs and unable to deal with my life, some of the medications I was given gave memore problems than I originally had.

The reason I am writing this success story is not to talk about how my lif was, but to talk about how my life is today. I have been sober for about 3 years now. I have a job, I have a good relationship with my family, and I am happy for the first time in years.

When I think about it I am more happy and content than before I even started using drugs. The way that the Narconon program is broken down into different steps was extremely important for me. Every step of the program builds on one another so that you can really understand what you are doing and why. I didn't sit in lectures all day that told me why I shouldn't use drugs, but I learned informationon how to live my life successfully and not sue drugs. This was so important for me because my whole life I was so stuck on the fact that I had a problem and was always running from it, but what I didn't get was that I didn't have to run from it. I just had to confront it and learn to live without it.

The sauna program did wonders for me. I was addicted to crack cocaine and heroin. I had gotten clean before but was either ona methadone maintenance program or a Suboxone maintenance program, so I was never really off opiates for 8 years. When I got into the sauna I could feel it working immediately, I had been having trouble sleeping for years and the first day in the sauna I slept a whole 8 hours that night. As I went through the sauna I felt better and better physically. My whole body felt great. I had energy again, I was sleeping and eating, and I didn't look bad either. The biggest part of the sauna though, was that I wasn't having cravings anymore, I didn't even think about drugs that much.

After the sauna I was excited to move on to the rest of the program, I was feeling good about myself and what I was doing and had a renewed sense of confidence. I had never done anything like this before and had never felt this good before when in a treatment center. The life skills portion of the program was phenomenal for me. The way that Narconon had me confront my problems and see for myslef what was going on in my past was tremendous, I personally was not a fan fo someone else telling me what my problem was or how to fix it, but in this program I got to figure that out for myself.

As I moved on through the program things started to really fall in place for me. I found out what my personal values wwere and what my goals in life were. I also found out how to achieve those on my own.

Near the end of my program I started working on repairing my past. This was very difficult for me. I had done so much damage in my life up until this point and it was really hard to look at. Narconon's staff was tremendous in getting me through this process; they helped me to confront all of the things that I had done and take responsibility for them. I felt great after this, my body physically felt amazing and my conscious was clear. I didn't lye in bed at night anymore wishing that I could have done something different. I just moved on and made a new path. From the minute I walked through the door at Narconon I felt extremely loved by all the staff members. Theyt listened to me and really knew what I was going through.

This program saved my life and not only that but it gave me a reason to live, and I had never felt that before. I spent so much time running from who I was and trying to be something else. I held on to so much pain from the harmful things that I had done to myself, my family, and all fo the people who I had befriended over the years. Plus on top of all of this I was hopeless. I had been through so much treatment I just figured that I was going to be addicted to drugs and on the streets for the rest of my life.

Now looking back I wish I would have found this program sooner, although I am glad that I went through what I did I know that other people don't have to experience as much pain as I did. Narconon gave me my life back and made me a free person, free from drugs, free from the horrible lifestyle I had chosen, and capable fo doing whatever I wanted to do, and that is more than I ever could have asked for.

All I wanted when I walked through the door was to not have to use drugs anymore, but I got 10 times that. I have a good relationship with my family today, I have a job, and I have a grop of friends that I really like and I am SOBER!!! This was the best choice I ever could have made.

Narconon Helped Me Feel Safe and Hopeful

I have misused and abused medications for most of my adult life. I began using meth when I was in my forties. My habit soon escalated to a full-blown addiction. My health began to fail over the next several years; my lower legs and ankles had turned a purple-ish green and I could barely walk anymore.

My husband and three teenage daughters never imagined that the real reasons for my constant illnesses and strange behavior was drug addiction. I was living a lie, and my whole family suffered mentally, physically and emotionally. My life was crumbling down around me, and I knew that if I didn't get help I would die. I wanted to be able to be there for my family, but I realized that I needed to get help first.

Meanwhile, my eldest daughter was admitted to a behavioral hospital and while visiting her one day, I came across a Narconon brochure. After a few days of researching all available programs I discovered that Narconon had the highest rate of recovery in the nation, and felt that their program would best help me understand the root cause of my addiction. I also liked the fact that Narconon didn't consider addiction to be a disease, but something that could be overcome. I made the decision to give it a try and enrolled as a student at their facility.

From the moment I arrived I felt safe and hopeful. The program was very helpful and the compassion and hard work of the staff were beyond my expectations. It felt like I was learning to live again. I feld at home at Narconon, and soon felt better than I had for the past 30 years. The program wasn't easy, it was hard work, but I knew I was doing the right thing for myself and it was a whole lot better than being out there using and worrying if I would die each day. I returned home, armed with a new outlook on life, a fresh start and hope for my future.

I've been completely sober for 14 months. I am living well and enjoying even the smallest things in life. I am still working to rebuild the trust of my family and put my life back together, but every day is a blessing and I am happy to be working through it. my husband has his wife back, and my children have their mom back. I share everything I learned from Narconon with my family. The best part is that I do not feel I live with the burden of a disease or even that I may relapse someday. I am forever grateful to the Narconon staff and program. It really did save my life and has helped me find success and happiness again.

Narconon Helped Me Be Whole Again

My name is Leslie and I went through the Narconon program in late 2005. Before I came to Narconon my life had completely fallen apart. I was 19 years old when I started using heavy narcotics and within a year of using I had nearly destroyed, torn apart my family, lost my job and found myself heavily in debt. Needless to say, I didn't have much hope for myself at all.

Right before I cam to Narconon I found myself in the hospital because my body couldn't take what I was doing to it any longer. At that time I asked my mom if I could go to a rehab near the beach. My mom immediately started researching treatment centers and fortunately found multiple rehabs near the ocean. She called many of them but was very intrigued by Narconon due to their understanding of what a person will go through during withdrawal from drugs. As soon as my body had healed enough to travvel up-state I made it to Narconon.

Due to the life I had been living before I came to Narconon, I had a lot of trouble daling with parts of life that seem very easy to most people. I had put myself into a lot of troubling situations while I was using and I carried many of those troubles with me constantly. Because I was so enveloped with what I had been through I had a very hard time following the program every step of the way. The staff gave me a lot of personal attention and although I argued and put up a wall around myself they never gave up on me. They showed me that they cared and that they understood what I was going through every day I was in the program. Because of their care I ended up confronting and ealing with all the problems I had caused myself while using. I got through them and can honestly say I am no longer affected by my past.

With time my body became very healthy again and my disintegrated family became whole again. I learned the importance oflistening to those who are in charge and found value in teamwork. I can honestly say that thanks to Narconon I found purpose in many different parts of life. Narconon taught me that I can make my life whatever I want it to be.

I have now been sober from all drugs and alcohol for 4 years. Although I made many gains throughout the program, the time after I graduated has been what's proved to me that I am whole again. I have continued to make gains on a regular basis and have found a personal gaol of always improveing every part of my life. I am happier now than I have ever been in my entire life. I have self-confidence in my ability to overcome any hardship I will face. I know that there is nothing in life which will make me turn to drugs or alcohol again. It feels absolutely amazing to be able to say those words and I owe that all to Narconon.

Narconon Helped Me Rebuild My Life

Before I went to Narconon, my life had spun out of control. I was using meth on a daily basis and lying, cheating and stealing just to get by. When I looked in the mirror I didn't even recognize myself. I was ugly from the drug use, and morally and spiritually degraded.

It is sad to look back on that phase of my life, because I truly made things a lot harder on myself than it needed to be. I came from a great and supportive family, and had enjoyed success in all aspects of my life. I excelled in school and music and had varied interests. No one, including myself, would have ever guessed that I would have the problems I did.

After several attempts at rehab and a few brushes with the law, I finally stumbled my way into Narconon and it was the best decision I could have made. Through the Narconon program I was not only able to gain sobriety but I gained a sense of moral responsibility and a respect for myself and others that I had lost through drug use.

After graduating I have been able to completely rebuild my life. I am going to nursing school and have earned a 4.0 GPA. I have an incredible close relationship with my family and I have earned back their trust and support.

I couldn't be more grateful to the Narconon program for being there for me and helping me put my life back together. Narconon is truly a blessed and special place!

Sincerely,

Teresa