student stories:

» I really do not have the words to describe how I feel today as compared to the life I led engulfed in the degradation of drugs. How do you describe the day to day agony and humiliation of being a drug addict? Drugs control and destroy life and make you do things you would never dream of doing if not for the illusive and hollow promises you tell yourself that this chemical will give. How do you describe this insanity in such a way to make others understand just how devastating it really is? How do you explain a life without pride or integrity or peace of mind, not even a little? How do you describe the guilt and alienation from life?

I came to Narconon Arrowhead a broken mess of a human being. I had lied to myself for so long that I started to believe there really was no hope for me, or a way out of the trap. I told myself that I was a drug addict and that somehow explained and justified my impeccably wasted life. I was more dead than alive and numb.

Today I have no words to really explain the difference in my life. The Narconon® program has taught me how to live again. Narconon Arrowhead has restored my faith in myself and given me a peace and stability that can only be dreamt of. No longer do the chemicals of evil men call my name or haunt my dreams. No longer do I fear or hate or have to hide. I am successful and happy and I have a future. I can see again and have restored faith in myself. I can look people in the eye and be proud. I can smile and enjoy even the smallest of simple pleasures.

Narconon Arrowhead made me whole again. How do you thank someone for saving your life?

» When I first came to Narconon Arrowhead back in 1997, I was 27, years old, had been using every drug under the sun for 15 years and was basically in apathy as to whether or not anything could be done to help me. This was my third rehab in a year and I truly wanted help, I just didn't think it was available. So I started doing the program and I could not find anything wrong with it. No matter how hard I tried, with all of my old paranoia and distrust in full effect, I just couldn't find anything wrong with it. Here was a program that didn't have me admit I was powerless and diseased, want me to relive my terrible past 90 times in 90 days (for the rest of my life) or want me to take "medication" for my "manic depression".

This is a program that truly showed me that I am powerful, that I can repair the past and that all the happiness I ever hope to find is within myself. This program not only showed me how to stay off of drugs, it did just what it promised, it gave me a new life. If you're at the end of your rope and you're ready to put in some good, honest hard work to make a change for the better, without drugs, the Narconon® program is hands down the best drug rehabilitation drug program on the planet, period. I've been clean for 3 years now and I owe it all to my grandmother for getting me to Narconon Arrowhead and to Mr. Benitez and Mr. Hubbard. Thank you very, very much.

» I’ve had the finest drug treatment money could buy. It has taught me many things. It has taught me about probation and jails, it has shown me the inside of prison twice, and how it feels to be treated like I was less than human. It has taken me to the funerals of seven of my best friends, where I had the opportunity to witness the pain of a mother who lost a son too soon, a father who will never again hear the sound of his child’s voice, and a mother with two sons and no father to help raise them. I have given my parents the intense feeling of anguish at finding their son OD’d in their own home; the list goes on, a major part of my life today is a legacy of pain and remorse, my own and that of those whose lives I have touched.

I first got clean in 1988 and in my first treatment center I was told that one in ten addicts who make it to treatment live. I vowed then to be that one and for the last eleven years I fought a losing battle. It is a miracle that I stand before you today. For those of you who don’t know, and are using, let me tell you it is a life and death struggle that you are in. For those of you who have had enough pain, I suggest that you grab hold of this program with both hands and don’t let go until you wring every bit of knowledge and information out of it that you can. It’s been said that nothing worthwhile is easy. I have done the hard part already. I have gained certainty that I was going to die or spend my life in prison by trying to “use successfully”.

I have more stability now than I ever dreamed possible. I am clean. I never imagined actually knowing I wouldn’t use drugs again.

I want to talk about the staff. It is hard for me to put into words my gratitude to the staff - how do you thank someone who has saved your life? And not just mine, but who have dedicated their own lives to helping others to live happy, productive lives. Words are not enough. I will forever spread the word about Narconon Arrowhead and the people who absolutely perform miracles every day.

Thank you Narconon Arrowhead!!!

» I started drinking at 14 years old, and started smoking pot at 15. Then I started cocaine at 17. I was introduced to crack and I became hooked. I soon dropped out of high school and stopped talking to my parents. I really didn’t care about life. I was introduced to Narconon Arrowhead and I decided that I definitely needed help. So I agreed to come here. And with the technology that we have here, I have learned so much more than just about staying away from drugs. I’ve learned patience. After a month here, my cravings for all drugs disappeared. I have hope for my future. And I have dreams I hope to accomplish one day. I’m happy again.

I realize that the world will work with me if I work with it. And I found the real me, the person I always wanted to be.

» The Narconon® drug rehabilitation program has saved my life. I cannot begin to explain the sense of happiness that has been restored to my life. I once pictured myself as a drug addict that was beyond help, but today that picture has changed to one I am proud to face in the mirror every day.

My drug abuse began thirteen years ago with a simple six-pack of beer but quickly turned into a $300 a day heroin habit. I reached out for answers and help along the way, but was never able to find the solution to my drug abuse. I went through countless 12-step programs that never pacified my desire for heroin. My addiction took me to county jails in four states, three hospital trips for overdoses and finally to the state prison. All along the way I knew that my addiction was controlling my life, but I couldn't stop. I had resigned myself to the fact that I was a drug addict and that was all I would ever be. When I got out of prison I was offered a chance to go through the Narconon® program. I didn’t know if it would work but I knew that if I didn't do something soon I was going to die.

I arrived on the Narconon Arrowhead campus on June 17, 1998 and that was when my life finally began to change. Through the course of the program I regained the sense of personal integrity and responsibility necessary for me to stay off of drugs. There was one day that I had the tremendous realization that for the first time ever I was in control of my life and could honestly say that I was happy. This was when I knew I had finally conquered my drug addiction, and I owe that to the Narconon® program and staff.

» I am very happy to say that since I have completed the Narconon® program I have enjoyed health and control over my life in a way that I have never before experienced. My past life was ruled by drugs, the getting of them and the using of them, for over 25 years. I was cynical, depressed, angry and tired. This program allowed me to confront myself and my environment. It provided me the opportunity to physically heal and to mentally expand. I, in effect, have discovered my spirit, in a new and ready condition. I have captured the confidence and wonder of my youth. By successfully completing this program I am, for the first time in many, many years, living freely and with purpose. I have awakened to my potential. I accept the challenge.

Thank you Narconon Arrowhead Staff!

» Before I came here I was told by three doctors that I did not have long to live. The Narconon® program gave me back my life. Doing this program, I have learned that I am a good person and there is more to being drug-free than just being off drugs; it’s knowing yourself and who you are. It’s about honesty, integrity and values that make a person happy. Narconon Arrowhead gave me all these things and more. It’s hard to explain with words. I thank all those who made it possible for me to experience this wonderful life I now have.

» I came to Narconon Arrowhead very physically ill and depressed. I had been in hospitals and doctors' offices for many months and was getting worse all the time. I started drinking and was losing hope. I came to Arrowhead and did the sauna program. My physical health was almost back to normal after the sauna. I then did the rest of the program and it helped greatly with my problems at home and how to handle them. It also gave me a new way to look at life in general and a positive attitude.

» Hi. My name is Tom. Three months ago I arrived at Narconon Arrowhead with what seemed, at the time, only a glimmer of hope. After twenty years of heroin and methadone addiction, countless efforts of attempted help that failed, happiness as a drug-free person seemed as likely as hitting the lottery at five million to one. As overwhelming as it seemed, I couldn't bring myself to accept the alternatives - death or prison. Not without exhausting all possible solutions. Somehow I still cherished the thought of drug-free existence. Happiness had its price and upon arriving at the center, I'd decided if I could, if it was possible, I'd make a real, genuine effort. Then, after being exposed to the loving, caring and committed staff members at Narconon Arrowhead, my commitment became "I can", and "I will". And sure enough, three months later I am drug-free and in control of my life for the first time in my adult life.

Five weeks from today I'll be thirty-eight years old, with a future as a happy, drug-free member of society to look forward to. What appeared impossible became a reality. My purpose as a person has been revealed. Today, I can accept responsibility for my past, I am no longer afraid of my future, and I am wanting and willing to help my fellow man.

The time spent at Narconon Arrowhead has been nothing short of life-saving. The Narconon® program and the people who delivered it; words like amazing, unbelievable and spectacular can't begin to do them justice.

The Narconon® program works and anyone that recognizes the threat drugs pose to our society and planet must support the efforts of Narconon Arrowhead and its staff - they deliver.

» I would like to thank the staff here at Narconon Arrowhead for helping me and having faith in me. Everyone was a lot of help. The staff always kept me on my toes and helped me push, push, push until sometimes I felt I couldn't push any more (I was wrong). It's hard for me to think about where I came from, you would have to live it to understand. I don't know where I am going to go in life but I know I won't go back to where I have been. That's behind me now. I've come too far to go back and besides I like, or should I say love, being drug-free!!

» I was drinking heavily and doing a lot of cocaine, but because I was able to "function" I didn't think I had a problem. During this time I was mentally and emotionally dead. I couldn't feel things anymore and even when I wanted to feel something I didn't have the proper reactions to situations. I was dying. My body was deteriorating rapidly and I was very sick frequently. The drugs and alcohol were killing me. You see, I did want to die - the greatest way to not deal with anything is to die, and that is the drug addict's ultimate dream, but something kept pulling me back. After I ended up in the hospital after a blackout, I did stop once for 8 months, I went through pure unadulterated hell from the withdrawal which lasted about a month. Afterwards, I would still crave the drugs and alcohol. It was madness. I couldn't stop thinking or dreaming about them. I went to meetings during this time and then I started to drink after the meetings - then I progressed to using the drugs again, mostly cocaine. My sponsor once told me 'It 's OK, you 're not ready to quit yet, SO if you have to drink, then drink, and when you are ready to quit you will know it. You may just have to go down further before you make the decision to stop.' I thought it was a bunch of garbage because every day I did want to quit but I couldn't.

I went to a chiropractic seminar and they talked about the Narconon® program. I took a pamphlet with Kirstie Alley's picture on it and called. I asked for information and then I didn't think about it, until that July 4th weekend. I went on a binge from July 2 to the early hours of July 5th and I realized that I did have a major problem. I called Arrowhead and was there 72 hours later.

I was looking forward to the sauna because I wanted all the alcohol, drugs and residues out of my body. I wanted to feel clean again instead of feeling sick all of the time. I went into the sauna with cloudy eyes, feeling sick all the time and no energy. I came out a new born. I thought it couldn't get any better, but I was wrong.... the life skill courses here at Narconon Arrowhead really enable you to take control of your life, actions and environment. You make the decisions for yourself without ever having to justify another thing.

Thanks for the life, Narconon Arrowhead

» When I took that 1st drink at 7, I was escaping from a physically, mentally and emotionally abusive environment, but I also lost who I was. When I came to Narconon Arrowhead, I had no idea who I was. I found myself here and that is a wonderful gift. I now help other people get out of the fog, haze and destruction of substance abuse. People don't have to be lost from themselves or from others. There really is no escape from reality. Anyone can have what I have today. They can have themselves back. Instead of being at the effect of everything going on around them, they can make the necessary changes to make their lives better by coming to this program.

If you or someone you love has a problem with drugs or alcohol, please call. Narconon Arrowhead can save that life and give that person a new awareness of themselves.

» I would like to put on paper my feelings at this time on what I've been through and what I am going through. I feel as though, to a degree, I am in a state of confusion because of my recent transformation from a lower primate to a higher man. The change has been a painful one in as much as having to give up all the things that I've been used to doing for 30 years of my addiction. For the first time I am now truly clean and drug-free. Something I haven't been for 30 years. All my excuses have been stripped from me. I am now capable of receiving and applying new ways of living a good and prosperous life. I am one again.

Thanks, Narconon Arrowhead Staff

» As for the Narconon® program and all it stands for, I owe my life. When I got here, my life was in a downward spiral, and it had been for the past 18 years. I didn't know how to live. I didn't know how to be happy. I only knew I wanted to.

The sauna was the best thing for me. Without the cleansing, I would still be a resigned junkie. My health is back, and my body is alive again. Being in control of my life, is my life.

The Ups and Downs Course taught me why I had mood swings and how to prevent them.

The Personal Values and Integrity Course brought out the real me and reinforced my self-respect.

The Changing Conditions in Life Course taught me how to handle any situation I have or will have in my life.

The Way to Happiness® Course is just what it says, and if you apply these values to your life, you will flourish and prosper and so will those around you.

The Narconon® program is truly a miracle, but this miracle can be explained. I plan on explaining it to many others to come. Through Narconon Arrowhead, I have courage, strength, and happiness.

I personally thank the Narconon Arrowhead staff. I appreciate all the support and understanding and greatly value all that everyone has taught me.

Thanks Narconon Arrowhead!

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