From Meth and Morphine to a Life That Works

I was born and remain a native of Idaho, a State known among other things for its mountains, rivers, forests, potatoes, the blue football field of Boise University, and a mother-load of gemstones.

My parents separated when I was 5 but I spent time with each of them and I was a happy kid. We moved a lot, so I did not stay with the same friends for long periods of time. One characteristic that I would say defined me as I was growing up was that I liked to be independent and make my own way. I got my first job at 14 years old, as well as my first vehicle, a pickup truck. (Working and driving are legal at 14 years old in Idaho.)

I got into drugs at 17 years old after graduating from high school. I left home, wanting to go out and see and experience life and unfortunately I got in with people who were twice my age and started to use drugs with them. At first this was alcohol and marijuana but it then moved into using amphetamines, opioids and morphine, and I was addicted.

I lost a girlfriend, crashed my truck, lost the job that I was so proud of, went into debt, got evicted numerous times and ended up living in my truck for a year.

When I was 19 or 20, I was living in a trashy trailer park, weighing 95 pounds and once again not paying the rent. My life was a mess.

My father found out what was going on and decided to take action. To get me out of the environment, he sent me to my mother’s place in Texas. That did not handle the situation as I rapidly found people in that area who were using drugs so my mother then stepped in to help me find a drug rehab. I agreed to do one, and said I wanted a rehab that was off the beaten track, that was different than the usual programs such as 12 step and AA.

My mother found a rehab that looked good, situated in the middle of a State park in Oklahoma and away from the influences of the city, and I was soon on my way to Narconon Arrowhead.

I arrived at Arrowhead late at night, and went immediately into the Withdraw part of the program. I was tired and not feeling well and just slept for the first 2 days, so I did not see much of the Center or staff at first. But when I came out of that, I found that the staff were very nice and they helped me withdraw from drugs with as little discomfort as possible.

Up to that point I had not really decided that I wanted to do the program, and several times had thoughts of leaving, but I stayed with it and I accepted that I was there and needed to do the program.

I did get through the full program, and although I was a bit shy at that time, at my graduation I went up on the stage and gave a speech and was proud of myself for doing that.

As I was preparing to leave Narconon, a staff member asked where I was going to live and what I was going to do. I didn’t have a plan at first, but an uncle offered me a job and I went to work for him. He helped me get back on my feet and get a vehicle.

Being off the drugs, I was back to being myself again and wanted to be independent, make money and pay my own bills. When my uncle asked me what my 5-year goal was, I decided that by the time I was 26 or 27 years old, I wanted to have a full time job with retirement benefits and a house. I achieved those goals, with a good job and my own house when I was 27.

“One key thing the Narconon program did for me was to kick-start my motivation to do better, and I never looked back.”

I have a life in which I have the freedom to have the things and the experiences I want and to travel and see different places. I feel great every day when I get up. I know that on drugs I would have none of that. One key thing the Narconon program did for me was to kick-start my motivation to do better, and I never looked back.

What I would say to others who have substance abuse problems is that I understand that the hardest thing to do is to get help when you feel you need it, and not to turn to drugs to try to feel better. Don’t just feel ashamed or bad about yourself, get over that and decide to get help and get it.

Brandon, Narconon Arrowhead Graduate