My Second Chance: 14 Years of Life Thanks to Narconon

 

I was born and raised in Springdale, Arkansas and lived a very normal life as a child, teen and in early adulthood. I had an interest in music and after finishing school ended up working in the music publishing industry in Nashville.

I did drink some alcohol here and there, but when I was 27 I discovered ecstasy and then methamphetamine. I was a super optimist and confident in my ability to control my life, and thought I could use the drugs and quit whenever I wanted.

However, the drug use went from the occasional weekend to every weekend to every day, and I was no longer in control, I was fully addicted.

From the outside, it did not look like I had a problem, and I worked hard to make it seem that way to my family and co-workers. I would try to stop at times, but would become very depressed, and I could only handle that by taking more drugs.

Then I got into legal trouble and my cover was blown, and my family found out I was using. In fact, however, that was a relief to me as I was absolutely ready to quit, and I knew they would help me, and they did.

I researched drug rehab programs online and found Narconon. My father was a chiropractor and before the drugs took over my life, I had grown up believing in and practicing a natural, healthy lifestyle. The Narconon program sounded like it was just what I wanted.

 

When I arrived at the Narconon Center, I had been clean for about 6 days, but I was scared as I did not know what was coming. The staff understood that and were fantastic and helped me get through and I did not fight it. I wanted to be there and do the program.

I liked that the program did not just involve sitting around talking, but required that I work to get through it. My biggest win on the program while going through it was that I was in much better physical health, and also that I could think clearly and make correct choices.

My graduation was beautiful. I had met a lot of other people doing the program, and they, plus the Narconon staff and my family, were very excited and could see that I was going to be able to go back into life outside confidently.

“I have been married for 7 years and have a great relationship with my family and I am proud that I really put everything I could into doing the Narconon program and came out being a better person even than I was before the drugs.”

That was 14 years ago, and my life since has been one of continued stability and growth. I have been married for 7 years and have a great relationship with my family, and I am proud that I really put everything I could into doing the Narconon program and came out being a better person even than I was before the drugs.

Every March I think about going to Narconon and what that meant to me and am thankful.

My advice to others who have a drug addiction is to ask for help. That is one of the hardest things to so when using drugs, but I know from experience that if you are addicted to drugs, you are not really enjoying using. There is no shame in asking for help. Help is available.

Brandon H., Narconon Graduate