An Addict Finds Her Way

Narconon graduate Gena

Cocaine is a powerfully addictive drug. Cocaine addiction has reached almost epidemic proportions in this country and has destroyed millions of lives. Families who have a loved one addicted to cocaine are well aware of the tragedy that goes along with this situation. The addict becomes depressed, disillusioned, and isolated. It seems that he (or she) will never regain a normal life again. Gena is one cocaine addict who knows the horrors of addiction.

Gena was at the Narconon Arrowhead rehab center when she described her life as an addict. She said, “I’ve been a cocaine user for 25 years off and on. I would try and quit and I could never quit on my own. I’ve been through several rehabs with no success. I would walk off from jobs. I lost many a job because of drug use. Or I would get caught stealing something. Life was constant turmoil. There were upsets with my parents, my children, and my husband. My relationships were all a mess because of my drug use.”

The Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation program is not like other rehabs. First, there is a drug-free withdrawal. In the case where a person needs to be medically weaned down from certain drugs such as benzodiazepines or heavy alcohol use, he would complete this beforehand. Then once he begins the Narconon program, no substitute drugs are used in the withdrawal process or as further treatment. This way they are not just becoming addicted to a new drug to replace his drug of choice. With nutritional support and plenty of one-on-one attention, he can soon be fully drug-free and ready for the rest of the Narconon program.

Soon after withdrawal, the participant does the Narconon New Life Detoxification, a unique detox where drug residues are removed from the fatty tissues of the body where they have been stored. These residual drugs are noted as being associated with the activation of cravings for drugs, so with the toxins gone, the person is far less apt to relapse.

Finally, the last steps of the program are a series of courses providing effective knowledge in how to restore and rebuild a life that was damaged by drug abuse and addiction. The courses address such topics as responsibility, causes for the ups and downs in life, personal values, communication and much more. For example, one course is called the Personal Values Course. Many students say the information on this course enabled them to confront their harmful actions in the past, take responsibility for them and be able to move on with their lives, no longer stuck in the past.

Gena had not yet finished the program but had experienced the relief of knowing she was no longer an addict and knowing she was going to make it this time. She was reunited with her children. She said, “My relationship with my kids right now is great! We speak often and have good communication. They are so happy and are so proud of how far I’ve come. My addiction has been a problem since they were young. Both have expressed that they really feel I am on the road to recovery. That feels great.”

She added, “After coming to Narconon I feel great! My life is back on track. I have a lot more self-confidence than I’ve had in years and years and a lot more self-respect. I feel like I’ve accumulated a lot of skills that I can go out there and use in life.”

In doing the Narconon program, an addict can turn his life around, get his family relationships reestablished and will never need to turn to drugs again. This makes a happy and fulfilling drug-free life.