A Brand New Me

I was born in Garden City, KS, and grew up in Winfield, KS. When I was 3 years old, my mom and dad divorced and went through a custody battle over me, which my dad won. I got strep throat religiously every year until I was 12, and I was also diagnosed with diabetes.

Growing up, I loved gymnastics and even participated in the Junior Olympics. I flourished in the sport, competing in both Level 5 and Level 6 in the same year. I won 1st place all-around in Level 5, and 1st place in floor and vault in Level 6. It was a very happy time in my life.

My dad was on morphine, and I moved in with my mom in 6th grade after he threatened to commit suicide. Unfortunately, my mom and stepfather were both alcoholics. I was surrounded by people who drank and did drugs, and it started to feel normal to me.

I smoked marijuana occasionally in 8th grade, and then more heavily in high school. It eventually became a daily habit because my boyfriend at the time liked to smoke. I also went to parties and drank alcohol.

Later, I started dating someone else. One day, we were drinking, and he was upstairs with some friends. I got curious and went up to see what they were doing. He handed me a crack pipe and said, “Try it.” It was all over after that. I did whatever I had to do to get more.

I worked at a golf course owned by my mom and stepdad, and I started stealing from the snack bar—altering deposits, pocketing the money, and spending it on crack and alcohol.

In 2015, I moved to Texas and met a guy who gave me drugs. That’s when I started shooting meth. In 2017, I had gotten three DUIs, totaled my car, and gone to jail. I lost my relationships with family and friends. I didn’t really have any true friends. I thought I did, but I didn’t.

I lost both my mother and father to alcohol. And I almost lost my life.

When I arrived at Narconon Arrowhead, I was nervous but also excited. I was greeted warmly and given a tour, and it felt very comforting. The facility was nice, and I was happy to see other people my age there. I felt welcomed, like everything was going to be okay.

The detoxification (sauna) part of the program was amazing. I could really feel my blood circulating. One day in the sauna, I thought to myself, “Wow, I don’t need this anymore.” I felt like a brand new me—clear, no longer hopeless. I had a future, and I realized there was more to life than being stuck in a cycle that never gets better.

The Objectives portion got me out of my head and out of the past. I felt present, no longer stuck in what had been holding me back.

When I looked back at the things I had done wrong—to myself and to others—I was finally able to get them off my mind and out of my heart.

I was able to move forward and make new friends. I could see who was worth associating with and learned not to fall for the lies of people who didn’t want the best for me.

I love Narconon. It was a good experience. Arrowhead, being located on a lake, is far from the noise of the city, separated from the life I was living and all the bad stuff. I felt really at home there: comfortable and safe. Everyone had the same purpose—to help you get better and become who you truly are.

When I graduated, I gave a speech and loved it. I felt so accomplished—like a brand new me. I can do what I want now. I have a future, whereas before, I didn’t even want to wake up. Now, when my alarm goes off, I’m excited to get up and get things done.

I’ve been clean since 2021, and I am now a preschool teacher. I’m extremely proud of getting my driver’s license back.

“I wake up every morning with no desire to get high or drunk. I don’t need it anymore, and I have zero desire for it. I look forward to each day and live for now.”

I wake up every morning with no desire to get high or drunk. I don’t need it anymore, and I have zero desire for it. I look forward to each day and live for now.

I now have a really good relationship with my stepfather, who raised me. I recently visited him for his birthday and saw everyone. I’m happy. For so long, I didn’t want to talk to anyone—I would hide myself from everyone.

A lot of people don’t realize that help is available. You don’t have to be stuck. You just have to take the first step. Asking for help is where it begins.

If you’re in recovery, keep your head up and keep going. Take it one day at a time. Do one productive thing each day and feel good about it. Keep going, push yourself, and don’t give up.

—Somer P., Narconon Arrowhead Graduate