Still Going Strong Thanks To Narconon

M.S., Narconon Graduate
M.S., Narconon Graduate
 

Before I came to Narconon, my life was basically in shambles. I physically depended on kratom and heroin. In addition, I drank nearly every single day. I had recently lost a long-time job that I loved because of my drug use. My girlfriend was at the end of her rope with our relationship, and I was not being the father I needed to be. I felt like a failure and used drugs and alcohol as a way to not face those feelings. Once my girlfriend couldn’t take it anymore, she packed up her stuff and left with our daughter. That’s when I finally reached out for help.

I was alone in my house and told myself I couldn’t spend one more night living the way I was. I searched on the internet for rehabs that were near me. Narconon New Life Retreat was the closest one, and I saw really great reviews, so I called them. I had reached out to rehabs before in the past, so I expected to be rushed off the phone, but it was the opposite. The person who answered showed genuine interest in me and could get me there that same night!

When I arrived, I was given a very warm welcome and settled into the withdrawal area. I’d unsuccessfully tried to get through withdrawal myself more times than I could count, so I was pretty nervous. It was a tough few days, but they really helped me get through it with a lot of vitamins and supplements. It wasn’t nearly as difficult as the times I tried to kick it on my own. I was excited to get into a residential bed and start the rest of the program!

After I got set up in my room, I started the New Life Detox. I was super interested in the approach and was excited to see what it did for me. The sauna combined with the niacin and other vitamins definitely had an intense effect. With every day I spent in the sauna, I could feel a returning sense of vitality and clarity I didn’t think I would ever get back. After about two weeks into it, I felt like a brand new person! What’s also really great is it wiped out any cravings I had to drink or get high. With all the drugs and drinking I had done, I thought I had dulled my body and brain to a point where I would never be the capable and competent person I was before the drugs. However, the New Life Detox brought me back to being that person!

Once I completed that part of the program, I started on the Objectives course. It was a series of drills and practical exercises that got my attention off the past and help me get a handle on my emotions. I had seen nothing like it and definitely found it to be the most interesting part of the program. The communication drills had a profound effect and taught me ways to communicate more effectively, and they still help me to this day! The Objectives Course has a unique way of getting your attention on the present and power over your emotions, which has saved me a lot of grief in the time I have been sober!

The last part of the program is the Life Skills Course. Throughout this part of the program, I learned the importance of taking responsibility for the harm I had caused others because of my drug use. I learned that getting honest about your mistakes, rather than holding them in, is key to breaking the cycle of addiction. This portion also helped me identify and handle the problems that happened early in my life that led me to use drugs in the first place. These problems sat there unconfronted for years, and drugs became a way of not dealing with them. The Life Skills Course helped me either completely handle these problems or get them to a point where they could be improved upon and not just sitting there, eating away at me.

“Narconon showed me I am not always doomed to be an addict. I can be the person I was before I ever took drugs or alcohol. I can be the boyfriend and father my family deserves.”

In all, Narconon showed me I am not always doomed to be an addict. I can be the person I was before I ever took drugs or alcohol. I can be the boyfriend and father my family deserves. The knowledge I gained from the Narconon program is something I don’t believe I could have gotten anywhere else. Eighteen months later, I am still sober, and drugs are simply something I USED to do. My family is proud of the person I have grown into and are eternally thankful for the people of Narconon New Life Retreat!

M.S., Narconon Graduate


AUTHOR

Alina Snowden

Originally from Kentucky, Alina decided after changing her life that she wanted to help others understand the dangers of addiction and help families know what to do if their loved one is struggling. She now writes articles to spread awareness and positivity about how those with addiction problems can turn their lives around.

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