Narconon Had Done Its Job

I was born in Florida and raised in Philadelphia, and I had a good childhood, going to school where I was active in sports and working on antique cars with my step-dad, which I count among the happiest moments of my life.

I went to college, majoring in engineering, and while I was in college, I was also into music and had a band, which was my real plan for life. However, in the music scene, I discovered heroin – which is very common in that world and I became addicted.

I dropped out of college and lost my freedom, my education, my money, and ended up in jail for 6 weeks. I got a sentence of probation, which could have been a prison sentence, but for one thing – my mother found Narconon drug rehab and set it up for me to go there. This was definitely a factor in the light sentence I received, because the judge was in agreement with me taking action to handle the real source of the problem: the drugs.

Narconon was good from the start. The staff was good, and I felt supported in my decision to get off drugs. The environment, in a State Park surrounded by woods, lakes, and animals, was therapeutic. Withdrawal, a major factor in quitting heroin, was done in a way that made it as comfortable as possible and safe to get off. I was on the program for 3 months, which gave me time to build back my mind and my health. It was exactly what I needed.

When I finished, I was looking forward to getting back into life and work. I was a bit afraid of being out on my own, but it was not a problem. Narconon had done its job, and I was ready.

I did not go back into engineering or music. Before drugs took over my life, I had worked in restaurants and learned about the field of wine, and I started a company that imports wine from around the world and sells it to restaurants.

One might think that would be a bad choice of jobs given my earlier substance abuse, but it worked out well. Alcohol was not my drug of choice, and I have never been tempted to do that or any other drugs since finishing the Narconon program.

I consider having a thriving business and staying clean major accomplishments. I had the benefit of a supportive family – my mother is still alive and still wonderful; I have a good relationship with my father and am very close to my stepfather.

“Without drugs controlling my life, I am able to focus on the good parts of my life.”

Without drugs controlling my life, I am able to focus on the good parts of my life.

What I would tell others who have a problem with substance abuse is this: I know that right now you find it hard to imagine a life without drugs. Don’t worry about that – it is something you can get through. Focus on getting and staying sober.

Z.R., Narconon Arrowhead Graduate