Ending My Vicious Cycle

“I would best describe my life before Narconon in one simple word, chaos. The dwindling spiral I was lost in had been an ongoing process of self-destruction for almost 10 years. I first started smoking weed at around 12 years old, which led to Xanax, which led to pain pills, which led to heroin, and heroin led me to the bane of my existence, the needle.

“Of course, this process unveiled over a span of years. I was always a person who would look for the next best thing when it came to a high. Even after a dozen stays in AA based rehabs, I never felt done with using. Before I came to Narconon, I went to the Methadone clinic every single morning. I thought I had cheated my addiction somehow because I never detoxed but I didn't get sick in the mornings. It all seemed great. Then I realized what the catch was, my opiate tolerance was higher than ever. Where one used to be sufficient, I needed three. All my money left as soon as it came and any trust I had with anyone was gone.

“My phone never rang anymore…. I was alone.

“My probation officer recommended Narconon along with two other places that have less than ideal reputations, so it was almost as if my decision was made for me. When I arrived for treatment, I was aware of the catch that methadone use carries—a lengthy detox. After 2 weeks in withdrawal, I started to feel a little better.

“I started the sauna detoxification and took the niacin and vitamin supplements and went into the sauna—but I was skeptical. After 15 days though, I felt like a cloud had cleared from my head. I was able to think better and comprehend things. Before I knew it, I was done with the sauna detoxification.

“Later in the program, I realized I was finally able to be patient and actually control my own life. Instead of having an anxiety attack when I thought of bad things that had happened in the past, I could confront it instead of trying to erase the memory with drug use. I came to realize the things that used to control me no longer had any power. I became able to see things for what they were. I was actually able to think things through and not just react with my emotions.

“I put the information I learned to use and can see life for what it is. I realized in most situations, my issues were the problem. By looking at things with a new perspective, I was able to make a few simple changes that had radically positive results.

“Narconon is the rehab of the future. Instead of giving you drugs to cope with your life and replace the ones you were taking, they actually get you back to the way you felt before you had to take something to feel normal. Everything they do is backed up by a logical explanation for it, unlike other rehabs I had been to in the past where I was told to simply do things over and over again and just have faith that it will work for me eventually. But it never did.

“If you are looking for a treatment center, I would recommend Narconon every time. Don’t make the same mistakes I did by going to 12-step rehabs 12 times like I did. Go there once and actually fix your life. “—Mike A.