Narconon Was My Springboard
My name is Hank and I was born in Okmulgee, OK in 1958. I moved around Oklahoma a bit, such as from Beggs to Tulsa and ended up in Broken Arrow.
I had a good childhood. My dad was a hard worker and I had a good upbringing. Of course, I was a typical teenager and did a bit of drinking. But I went to Okmulgee trade school and got a Real Estate license. I was good in terms of education. I was an aircraft painter for 15 years and became a youth pastor at one point. But I developed an attitude toward people when met with opposition and it grew.
I got married and created a family. Raising 3 kids was a highlight in my life and I was there for every one of their births.
I worked in the air conditioning and heating field for 30 years. Especially in summer when working hard I would get hot and frustrated. I started to look for something that would help to keep me awake. And that something was Speed. I was then introduced to crack cocaine and that was what really brought me down.
What a lot of people don’t understand is that drugs on the streets can be instantly addictive. That euphoria is treacherous. It is even more so the case now as there are a lot scarier drugs out there.
At some point, it got out of control. I had a binging habit where I would keep going until my body would give in and then I’d try to ask for forgiveness. I would lie and hide it from most of my family. My wife knew but was trapped as I was the family provider. I was covering it up, at least keeping it away from the public’s eye.
It got to the point that my family would chase me around town. Physically I lost my health. I developed heart issues and I’ve had a lot of dental work because of my use. I lost many relationships. I lost my integrity. I would cover myself up with lies. It was not in my nature but I had to if I was to survive with that lifestyle. Lying became natural. You don’t want to touch drugs but it tugs on your life to such a tremendous degree.
In life, you go through things. But we can’t continue to blame others for our behavior. As an addict, we develop excuses but it boils down to us in the end.
In July of 2007, I was out on a binge one night when an interventionist showed up. My family had researched and contacted Narconon. I was in a hotel and that interventionist came in and convinced me to go. I was at a point where I didn’t care if I lived or died, I didn’t care if I OD’d. I realized that I was trapped. She made me see that this was where I was and I needed to make the decision to either go or lose everything. Death probably would have been my next step if I hadn’t gone.
When I first arrived at Narconon I was embarrassed. I had been a business owner and an outstanding citizen in the community. And yet there I was, homeless, my body worn out and my head shaved. But everybody there already understood.
Being at a lake was pretty cool actually. I went through withdrawal and was eating healthy. I realized that if I did not focus on my recovery I would not be successful. So I decided I had to go through this.
The sauna program was amazing. That tug that drugs had and the dreams at night, they went by the wayside. The cravings almost completely disappeared. I had been doing it for close to a month when I went to my room one night, enjoying myself. I woke up that night and it was like my mind and my body sprung to life. It was not like a chemical of any kind. I had a clear body and a clear mind.
On Objectives, I had a really good partner (called a twin). We really clicked and I feel I was privileged for him to be my twin. I had a lot of wins and realizations. When I set my mind to something I do it. When I look at something I don’t have a selfish motive and I don’t believe I can be stopped. Objectives helped me see this. They make you think and think about what possibilities there are.
The other thing is relationships. Me and my old roommate are still friends and our relationship is strong. There are a lot of people I still communicate with.
“I was able go out in field and put my business back together. I have two daughters and two sons, and we have great relationships. My wife and I are 45 years into our marriage. And I have good business relationships. I enjoy life.”
Graduation was exciting and fun. But it is when you go home that it is tough. That’s when you have to take what you have learned and put it into practice. I went home and felt on top of everything. I was confident and excited. I was able go out in the field and put my business back together. I have two daughters and two sons, and we have great relationships. My wife and I are 45 years into our marriage. And I have good business relationships. I enjoy life. There are a lot things to do and along the way, I take the time to help other people.
I love recovery and have my own sober living program. I deal with people every week and sponsor 3–5 people at a time. Every week I go to meetings and listen to people getting their kids back and their families back. It’s a highlight in my life. I enjoy grandkids now and I have a good lifestyle.
My biggest accomplishment has been overcoming this and getting past it. I always was the go-to guy. Now I really believe that I am the go-to guy again. And that is what I want to be. I have a great life now and I feel blessed.
What I do today is a result of the things I went through and what I learned at Narconon. Narconon was my springboard. It gave me really valuable information and training.
To those in early recovery I would say, keep taking those same steps that got you to this point. Keep moving forward and if you stumble, get right back to it. Don’t get caught up in it.
Hank M., Narconon Arrowhead Graduate
