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