I Don’t Even Have to Think About Drugs Now
I was born in Oklahoma City and raised in Pauls Valley, OK. Life was good before I started using drugs—I liked playing baseball, was very active with working out, and enjoyed playing video games. I would hang out with friends, and we’d play outside, ride bikes, and play video games.
When I was 16, I started experimenting with drugs. I would use party drugs like alcohol, weed, and ecstasy while hanging out with friends.
It started to really affect me a few years later when I began to do opiates. I became very addicted and would spend all my money on them. I struggled to function and had trouble getting to my job on time. The only friends I had were other people who used drugs. My relationship with my family was still good, but they weren’t happy with what I was doing. Eventually, I lost all my jobs and couldn’t function. I knew I had a problem and had to do something about it. I was unhappy with the way my life was going and wanted to get better. I was depressed and didn’t want to keep living like that. I thought about quitting for a long time, but I kept putting it off—until one day, the thought popped into my head that I needed change. That’s when my mom found Narconon online.
When I arrived at Narconon Arrowhead, I felt pretty bad until I went through detox. I received a lot of assists, which are massage-like procedures to help with withdrawal symptoms, and that was very helpful. Once I got through withdrawal, I did the sauna program, which helped me feel better. My program went smoothly, and I didn’t struggle much. I wanted to get through it - and I did. I met many people there whom I liked, and the staff were good.
“I haven’t struggled with drugs since I left over 7 years ago, and I don’t even have to think about it.”
Getting off drugs and staying clean afterward has been my biggest win. I haven’t struggled with drugs since I left over 7 years ago, and I don’t even have to think about it. I don’t have to think about how not to be on drugs. It’s so far out of what my life is like now. I just live life and don’t have to think about using. I just do things to stay healthy.
Graduation was good – I was glad to have completed it and happy to get on with my life.
Getting off drugs is my proudest accomplishment. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I can’t think of anything else that hard. I went through a lot of suffering, and it took a lot of effort to get off and stay off—but I did it.
My relationship with my family is good now, and we spend more time together.
My advice to anyone who is currently using drugs is: go to rehab. The first few months are tough, with depression and anxiety, but just do the program and stick with it. It will get better the longer you stay clean. Work hard on staying away from situations that could lead you back, and stay in rehab as long as you can.
What I like most about being drug-free is that I no longer have to deal with other addicts or worry about how I’m going to get drugs. Overall, I feel much better off.
Trai M., Narconon Arrowhead Graduate
