Paying It Forward Because of Narconon

I was born and raised in Guarda, Portugal. My life before Narconon was in the worst condition imaginable. I was a heavy drug addict and alcoholic for 15 years. I had already attended several other rehab programs, but every relapse only made me worse.

Drugs and alcohol became my entire life. They were my family, my job, my prison. I couldn’t control anything, no matter how much I tried. My mind was filled with confusion and despair, and I truly believed there was no solution. I was afraid I wouldn’t survive another day on the streets. That’s when I found Narconon.

What led me to Narconon was another painful relapse after attending another rehab program. I was in such a degraded state that I knew I wouldn’t last much longer without help. While searching online, I discovered Narconon. The method and the information I found made complete sense, and for the first time, I felt real hope.

What impressed me most was the New Life Detox step that removes the drug and alcohol residues from the body. I thought I’d never be free of those toxins, but I was. Today, I’ve been clean for six years, fully free from drug and alcohol addiction.

Looking back, drugs completely destroyed every area of my life. I paid to suffer, day after day, year after year. I went through three rehabs based on the 12-step model, but every time I left, I relapsed and sank even deeper. After 15 years of being what I call a “professional addict,” the fact that I am alive today is nothing short of a miracle—and I credit that miracle to Narconon.

One of the happiest and most rewarding moments of my life came after I completed the Narconon program. A friend of mine shared with me that his mother was struggling with alcoholism. Immediately, I wanted to help her. I shared my own success with the Narconon program and explained why it worked when other programs failed. She agreed to start the program, and when she was short on funds, I even helped cover the difference so she could get in.

This woman, in her 60s, proved to be a true warrior. She completed the Narconon program more than a year ago. Today, she is free from the trap of alcoholism and living a happy, healthy life. Even more inspiring, she joined Narconon staff to give back and help others. Knowing I played a part in her recovery is one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had.

What I love about Narconon is how the program is laid out. Each step is vital and builds on the last, guiding you out of the trap of addiction until you are truly free.

“Narconon is different. It’s based on the truth that addiction is a condition that can be fully handled. With the right steps, it can vanish forever. That is why Narconon succeeds where others fail.”

Narconon is different. It’s based on the truth that addiction is a condition that can be fully handled. With the right steps, it can vanish forever. That is why Narconon succeeds where others fail.

If you are considering becoming involved with Narconon either as a supporter or field representative, understand this. Every time you help someone get into the program, you are saving their life. I am living proof of that. And so are the many others, like my friend’s mother, who are now free and thriving because of Narconon. I have tried everything else, and I know by experience what works and what doesn’t. Narconon works. Other programs fail because they are built on the false idea that “addiction is a disease and cannot be cured.” That belief traps people into thinking they will always be addicts, and so they relapse again and again.

Narconon is not just another rehab, it truly is the difference between life and death, between failure and freedom. And that is why I will always stand by this program and do my part to save lives.

Francisco A., Narconon Graduate and Field Representative