Addiction: What I Went Through

“I started using drugs when I was 13. It progressed to the use of heroin and cocaine and then I got on a methadone program. I did not use the program in the way it was intended because I was still using other drugs.

“Before I arrived at Narconon New Life Retreat in Louisiana, I was in jail and court ordered to a rehab in Baltimore, where I am from. It was not the right place for me, one of the male staff members was inappropriate with the females and people were using inside of the rehab. I ended up leaving against medical advice and getting high. Because I left a court-ordered rehab, my judge put out a warrant for my arrest. A few days Iater, I overdosed and had to be hit with Narcan 2 times. This scared me so bad. I needed help. I called the Narconon in Louisiana and within a few days, I arrived.

“Throughout the program, I went through a lot of ups and downs. In the middle of January, my grandfather passed away. That was difficult, but I had people on my team to help me through it. Then on Friday, February 16, 2018, my dad who was still in active addiction, overdosed on heroin and died.

“I was devastated, and it crushed me. But again, with the support of the people at Narconon, I became even stronger and made it through. It’s been a week and 2 days since my dad died and while I am still very sad, I know I’m going to be okay. I found out how strong I really am going through these hardships.

“Today is my last day at Narconon. I am going back to Maryland to take care of my legal situation. I feel like I am at a place where I can take responsibility for my actions and also take the consequences. For the first time, I have hope and I am ready to leave and stay clean. I am happy for the first time in a very long time and I will not give that up for a shot of dope. Narconon has truly helped me save my own life.”

—Narconon Graduate B.K.”