Contentment without Drugs Is Possible

Christian, Narconon Arrowhead Graduate
Christian, Narconon Arrowhead Graduate
 

My name is Christian Lopez. I was born in Quezon City in the Philippines. When I was 23, I left my home and came to America to be with my family—my mom, younger brother and step Dad. When I got to California, I began going to school. I spent most of my time studying and hanging out with my cousin. The thing I loved the most was the weather; it was beautiful all the time.

At age 25, I was introduced to drugs by someone that I knew. It started off with just a little bit here and there. I would get high for a day and then stop for a day or two. It quickly progressed and became an everyday thing. Before I knew it, I was smoking and shooting meth every day.

When my mom found out I was using drugs, it was like my world was collapsing around me. I lost her trust and the trust of the rest of my family. I became homeless and surrounded myself with all the wrong people. My mom was upset at what I had become, and she decided this had to stop and was determined to find a solution. A friend of hers told her about Narconon. Narconon worked with my family and me to get me into the program.

When I first arrived, I was nervous. I thought that no one would understand me. The staff helped me get through my uncertainty, and it turns out I found true friends throughout the course of my program. The staff helped me through the entire process and treated me well.

I had some great wins throughout the program. My first big win was realizing that I was coming back to myself. I was coming out of the paranoia, and I was able to see who I was for the first time in many years.

Another big win that I had was finally being able to really understand the people in my life. Staying away from people who do drugs sounds like a no-brainer, but to anyone who has ever been addicted, this is easier said than done. They did not tell me who I should and should not be around or associate with. They showed me how to analyze the personalities in my life and gave me what I needed to make the decision myself in a way that actually made sense to me.

I was also able to finally confront the things that I had done to hurt myself and others. Doing this gave me great relief and made it possible for me to move past all of the things that were holding me back.

When I graduated from the program, it was a very emotional experience. Seeing all the friends I made along the way and all the staff that helped me through nearly brought me to tears.

“My biggest accomplishment was the friends I have made and finding the ME I thought was lost. I’m finally drug free,
and I am not miserable.”

I am very excited about the future and rebuilding the trust I lost with my family. I'm looking forward to a productive and independent life. My biggest accomplishment was the friends I have made and finding the ME I thought was lost. I’m finally drug free, and I am not miserable. I am excited about what is to come. I am content. To the ones that are still struggling… contentment without drugs is possible. Narconon can give to you what it gave to me.

—Christian, Narconon Arrowhead Graduate


AUTHOR

David

NARCONON ARROWHEAD

DRUG EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION