Beyond the 28-Day Cycle: Why Narconon Arrowhead Worked for Me

 

I was born and raised in the Hudson Valley in NY state. I had the normal life of a typical kid living on a rural farm. My favorite memory of that time is going to see a ball game at Yankee Stadium.

I had started drinking in my teens. It was legal at 18 then. It started with drinking beer with friends. This caused some difficulty at times with the family. Eventually I lost my license after a couple of DUIs. I was advised that I should do more than a 28-day program and a friend found Narconon on the internet.

While in the Withdrawal area I had trouble eating and sleeping. Once those things improved I completed the Withdrawal part of the program.

I found the sauna program interesting while I was experiencing it. The Objectives were helpful because they retrain the thought process and give you a better way of processing the stressors in life.

As a whole the staff were helpful and down to earth. The routine and clearly knowing what was expected was comforting. It was encouraging that the staff wouldn’t let things go astray. The ability to stay focused, being mindful and being gently redirected back to the task on hand was helpful.

I was retired when I went there so I didn’t have the pressures of employment. The noise of life was less because of that. The requirements of life had changed and I no longer had to feel lost and it gave me more beneficial avenues to make better choices.

I stayed because I needed what the program gave me. As I completed each part of the program I sent my Narconon books home so I would have them to look through and refresh my mind about what to do after I finished the program.

I felt apprehensive about graduation because I was unsure of myself and tentative and not trusting myself to keep from falling back into the same old habits. But, when I found myself about to slide into old habits, I pulled out my Narconon books and went over the materials. I had learned how to recognize the same old rut coming and realized that I had other choices beside falling into the same old patterns. I had learned that I could make beneficial choices in life rather than making self-destructive choices.

Since doing the Narconon Program, my relationships with family members that matter is great. I’m looking forward to enjoying the time I have left, spending time with my 2 children and my 4 grandchildren outside on the farm, and working with animal rescue. I volunteer at an animal rescue that also uses horses, cattle, and sheep as therapy for mentally challenged kids. I find it soothing and I take enjoyment in dealing with the animals.

“My favorite things about sobriety are not waking up half groggy and not having a body or mind that is having to worry about how I’m going to feel when I wake up.”

My favorite things about sobriety are not waking up half groggy and not having a body or mind that is having to worry about how I’m going to feel when I wake up. My health and physical reactions are so much better. I don’t have to worry about alcohol consumption and how it affects my well-being.

To anyone in active addiction I would tell them to ask themselves: Are you enjoying how and what you’re living? Are you feeling comfortable with what you’re doing? Until they can answer “yes” their ears are closed. Offer to give your perspective on how their conversation and actions appear to someone else and ask if that’s what they really want. Be their mirror and show them what they are demonstrating by their behavior and get them to understand how their choices are impacting their demonstrated behavior. Urge them to take responsibility for their own actions.

For those in early recovery I would tell them to keep in mind that they’re doing this for themselves. Ask yourself how you want to spend the rest of your life. Look at yourself. Hear yourself. Watch yourself. Make good choices.

Frank K., Narconon Arrowhead Graduate