How I Restored My Self-Respect with Narconon

I grew up in Goldsboro, North Carolina, know for its Eastern Style Barbeque, the Mt. Olive Pickle Company, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and more. I went to school and did the usual activities of a child and teen, grew up and bought a house and life was great.

Then in my early 30’s I began doing drugs recreationally at parties and concerts, starting with ecstasy and mushrooms, and then cocaine which became my drug of choice, I became addicted.

Life was no longer great. I spent all of money on the drugs and it soon badly affected my health and how I looked.

My family found out what was going on when I was about 34 and approached me about going to a drug rehab facility named Narconon, in Oklahoma. At that point I was tired of living like I was living. I was tired of disappointing my family and was ready to change and I agreed to go.

The staff were great, the facility was in the middle of a State park and was beautiful and I enjoyed going outdoors, walking around the lake and seeing the animals. I soon realized that handling my addiction was not going to happen in 30 days, but I was committed to doing it completely and getting the full benefit of it.

“It is a program that requires you to be an active participant, it is not a program where you just read a book and are done.”

It is a program that requires you to be an active participant, it is not a program where you just read a book and are done. I had to work for it, but by the time I finished just the first part of the program involving sauna, exercise and good nutrition and vitamins, I was feeling really good. I learned to be more aware of my surroundings and to be where I am. I liked the positive approach – that you are not powerless nor an addict for life. This fit with my own belief that I could control my own life, and since doing the program I have lived that philosophy.

I got back my self-respect and I am doing well in life, with my own business, a daughter and great relationships with my family. I still apply what I learned on the Narconon program.

To someone currently addicted who wants to change that, I would say “A better life is on the other side. Keep trying. Don’t end the journey. This doesn’t have to be your life.”

A.B., Narconon Graduate