I Didn’t Really Ever Look Back – 21 Years Later

 

I had a normal childhood in Fort Madison, Iowa. I liked helping my dad with the Christmas tree farm that we had. I would help plant trees, cut and trim them. We lived on a farm, and I enjoyed riding around on my motorcycle with my friends riding their dirt bikes.

I started drinking at a pretty young age. I was 12, and I had a couple of friends who were older than me that got ahold of a bottle of lime vodka. We drank it, and in high school and college, I just kept going. It got to the point where I couldn’t quit on my own.

Over time, I got 3 DUIs, ran into trouble at work, and was in an unhappy marriage.

I held my family together alright but to be honest, when my kids were growing up, I don’t remember a whole lot. I was not absent, but I didn’t go to a lot of things with them. My wife would go without me.

I was the director of a department at a riverboat casino. One day, they smelled alcohol on my breath from drinking the night before. The police officers did a breathalyzer test, and I was over the limit for the Coast Guard. I didn’t get arrested, but I did get suspended. Shortly after that, I decided that I had to do something, or I would lose my job. I started looking online, and I found Narconon.

I was scared to death when I first got there. The people I was around were what comforted me the most – I met a lot of people right away. I was lucky that detox wasn’t bad for me. I got into the program, and before I knew it, it was over.

Through the program, I gained a much more positive outlook. I enjoyed the program and being there. Of course, I missed my family, but the staff was great.

Before, I knew I would have screwed up again. I knew that if I got another DUI, I could go to prison. My wife was at her wits’ end. Addiction had taken its toll, and the more I worried, the more I drank.

I left feeling better about myself, knowing that I wasn’t a bad person. That’s what they taught me. It gave me confidence. I learned not to be afraid to look someone in the eye.

It made me a much better father, a much better employee and a much better husband.

I went through the program when my son was 10 years old, and our relationship got a lot better. My relationship with my wife got a whole lot better. I ended up being my son’s Boy Scout leader.

“My proudest accomplishment is making it to 21 years sober. It has been a rocky road at times – life is not easy. But Narconon prepared me to go through it. I am a firm believer in the program.”

My proudest accomplishment is making it to 21 years sober. It has been a rocky road at times – life is not easy. But Narconon prepared me to go through it. I am a firm believer in the program. Any time a problem came up, it gave me the tools to deal with the problem, whereas before I would turn to drinking. Instead, I was able to find another outlet.

I didn’t have to worry all the time. Before, I would constantly worry that someone would find out, that I’d get in trouble, or that I would lose my family or my job.

I didn’t really ever look back.

I am now retired and looking forward to a trip to Canada and traveling. I’m looking forward to living.

If you are going through addiction, then reach out. It seems like you are all alone, but really, you’re not. Narconon is a good program. It worked for me. I was in a pretty bad place when I came, and I left in a much better place. If you’re in recovery, just keep going. Take it one day at a time. Don’t project into the future too much. Live in the moment and enjoy each day.

F.B., Narconon Arrowhead Graduate