Knowing I Wanted a Change
“Before arriving at Narconon, I had gone to two 12-step rehabs and two 12-step IOP programs and to two sober-living houses. I ended up relapsing each time, and I would always try to figure out why. I did everything my house managers asked for me to do. I got a sponsor, I got a home group and I did the ’90 and 90.’ I still ended up leaving those sober living houses in Florida and going back to New York. Doing those programs never brought me to the root of why I started using in the first place. There was always something in the back of my mind saying ’addiction is a disease,’ and I could just go out and use one more time, because it’s okay, ’I have a disease.’
“I was still so unhappy, and 12-steps weren’t working out for me. I found out it doesn’t work for everyone. It wasn’t until I went to Narconon that my life completely changed. Going through the different parts of the program taught me a tremendous amount about myself and my addiction, and that I had allowed my addiction to have a powerful control over me and I gave in and catered to it every single day of my life.
“I then learned how to communicate and how to be responsible for myself. I learned how to be patient in situations and take control of them. I got to the root of why I started using and I had a sudden sigh of relief, like a ton of bricks were just lifted off my shoulders. I feel lighter than I ever have before.
“I have a great relationship with my family that I never had before. I have a good amount of clean time which makes me feel very hopeful because this is the longest I have ever been clean. Narconon made me see I can do the things I thought I would never be able to do. I am more confident and my responsibility level is higher than it has ever been.
“I want to thank the Narconon staff for always being there for me and helping me in any way they could. I am forever grateful for this program and the staff members.
“Now I have graduated my program and have become an intern—something I never thought would be possible. I came into Narconon knowing I wanted a change. I was so desperate for it and the change didn’t come overnight. It took a lot of hard work on my part and a lot of patience. I can help others and I learn more about myself every day. I discovered a quote while being here and I read it daily. It says, ‘the way out is the way through.’ That quote kept me going day by day. Even something so small means so much.
“I am now a responsible and ethical young woman. Thank you, Narconon!”
—SS, Narconon Graduate
