The Gift of Being 14 Years Drug-Free
I was born in Meridian, MS and I was raised between Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee.
My life was pretty tumultuous before drugs. My parents were divorced, and there were family issues.
One of my happiest memories is hanging out with my cousin by the pool and doing things in the summer.
I had a 30-foot fall in 2004 and landed on concrete. I had a lot of major reconstructive surgery with complications, and I got hooked on pain pills. When I couldn’t get prescriptions anymore, I started getting them from the street.
Drugs impact everything and become a selfish priority in your life that gives you nothing and takes everything you’re willing to give. It gets beyond your control.
My mother has always loved me and been supportive of me. She set up an intervention, and I had already decided it was time and was packed up.
When I arrived at Narconon Arrowhead, I was freezing cold. I was a South Florida boy with major orthopedic problems withdrawing from opiates. I could hardly walk from a botched surgery and had to use a cane. I was miserable.
The staff was great. They were warm, welcoming, kind, and non-judgmental. Everyone was very open and supportive. What comforted me was being shielded from literally everything else in life that had become such a mess of my own creation to allow me to work through what I needed to. I had the desire to get better and I acted on that desire.
After the sauna program I felt like a new person. I was 20-something years old using a cane before that and could hardly walk, and I was able to literally dance afterwards. Nobody could recognize me after the sauna, including myself. My mom was so happy.
Your mind is able to transition from being trapped in the past to looking at possibilities for the future. Once a person stops masking whatever pain they’re hiding and works through it, they’re able to look at the future and see the things that matter in life.
Graduation was awesome. I had accomplished something that I didn’t think I was going to be able to. I stuck it through, did the work, and I was ready to start my next chapter.
“I’ve been drug-free for 13 or 14 years. Since doing the program, I’ve gotten married, I’m happy, satisfied, and fulfilled in my life. I still have many things to accomplish and I’m focused on the next chapter.”
I’ve been drug-free for 13 or 14 years. Since doing the program, I’ve gotten married, I’m happy, satisfied, and fulfilled in my life. I still have many things to accomplish, and I’m focused on the next chapter.
Doing the Narconon Program made me realize that I’m stronger and can overcome more than I ever thought I could. I keep my nose to the grindstone and do what I need to. I have healthy coping mechanisms and I can get through whatever comes.
I’m looking forward to the whole rest of my life and all of the things that I’m still going to do.
My marriage of 10 years, this year, is my proudest accomplishment. We met shortly after I completed the Narconon Program in Kansas, of all places. We’ve been together ever since.
After many reconstructive surgeries, bone infections, and being told for 10-12 years, I found the right team of surgeons who were able to completely reconstruct my foot to normal function. I’m able to run again with no problem.
My relationship with my family and my partner’s family is great.
My favorite thing about being drug-free is that I’m free.
To someone who is in active addiction I would say stick with it, you’re stronger than you know you are. You have love and support around you, even if it’s not your own family. It’s well worth it on the other side. Stop torturing yourself and live free. Nobody can do it for you.
If you’re in recovery, you’ve done the hard part. Love yourself enough to give yourself the future that you deserve. You’re on the right path. Stay away from drugs because they will literally kill you nowadays.
Narconon Arrowhead 2011 Graduate
