Enjoying Sobriety
When I showed up at Narconon, I was in bad shape physically and mentally. I had already lost a lot and was about to lose everything, including my life. Two and a half months later, I’ve gone through the Narconon program, and now I feel healthy and ready.
I started using at a young age. When I was about 14, I started drinking whenever I went to parties. As I got older, I drank more. I would go to house parties, and then I started drinking every day after work. It goes downhill from there and just gets worse.
Because of alcohol, I lost a lot of property and money. I got rid of some friends, got divorced, and almost lost my daughters and myself. I had to start from scratch. I ended up with a lot of debt, and it punched me in the face financially.
My father walked up to me one day when I was in the hospital for alcohol poisoning and said that he wanted to send me to Narconon to get help. I agreed to go.
When I arrived, it felt very welcoming. Withdrawal was actually very nice. The staff were very respectful. I took vitamins and went on walks, which made it easy and pleasant.
I had realizations after each section of the program. They are not just momentary realizations. You don’t fully realize that you’ve got it until you’re done, and you can see how you can really use it after. And as you go, your confidence increases.
After Detox (sauna program), I felt much healthier.
With Objectives, I felt more aware. I could do more and not let things bother me as much. I still get frustrated sometimes, but I don’t let past frustrations add to it. It gives you a strong urge to do things and makes you feel like you can. The little things go away. I am more focused on what I do and not so nervous.
The Life Skills Courses reminded me of things I thought I knew. I kind of knew them, but now I get it. It made me understand it better. At the other end, I came out stronger. It feels really good handling things I have been hiding. I have gotten everything off my chest. Now, I can focus on work instead of worrying that my boss will catch me drinking. I have cool tools that will help me out a lot. I know how to carry on and what to do if I start to slip.
Graduating feels good. In the end, I feel complete and accomplished. I did something very necessary, and what I will do from here on is going to be easy. I fixed myself and can now be successful and focus on bigger goals.
I look forward to happiness, being successful and healthy, and having good people around me. My relationship with my family is really good now. They are all really happy and excited for me.
It feels good to be sober. My memory is better, and I am better physically. I don’t feel that inner caved-in feeling, and I’m not thinking about how I’m ruining things. It feels like I’m looking forward and moving forward as opposed to being stopped, which is what it is like if you’re not sober. I was wasting time, wasting good memories, and wasting life in general. Everything you can do that is positive, and fun is gone when you’re not sober. Sometimes, you can’t even look at yourself. At first, you think you can handle it, but at some point, you stop caring. But now I feel light.
“For anyone out there who is struggling, my advice is to get help. It’s a must. It will be hard at first, but you’ll be so happy you did.”
For anyone out there who is struggling, my advice is to get help. It’s a must. It will be hard at first, but you’ll be so happy you did. You don’t have to believe anything I say. Just do it.
The little things in life become pleasant again. Things like a rose, a certain smell, the chill in the air, or hearing music. You can actually feel really relaxed. Not a false relaxation, but an honest one. So stick to it. It may be hard at first, but every time you fight and win, you’ll be so proud of yourself.
—R.S., Narconon Arrowhead Graduate
