Narconon graduate: "...Life just keeps
getting better..."
This past year has been the most life changing experience for me. I have found my purpose in life and I don't know that I ever really knew what purpose meant--I mean what it really meant. I have taken several steps forward, not looking back unless it was going to help prepare for the huge steps forward that I was fixing to take.
I'm thankful for the purpose in life that God has shown me and the ability to put it into action. I remember praying and asking God, why me? Why did I choose to use drugs? I hated drugs and saw what it did to people I care a lot about.
This is what he showed--it can take over your life and ruin it in the blink of an eye. You can lose family members and never be able to go back. Through my use, I was destroying the person that I was and quickly becoming someone that I didn't like. I didn't know how to love myself and therefore I hurt the ones I loved the most. But through using drugs and now being 14+ months clean and sober, I am a person with a PURPOSE. I love who I am, I pray to God without shame, I help others to get off drugs, and I live life to its fullest.
You see, the first 33 years of my life, before I ever tried a drug, I didn't feel that I had a purpose. I was doing for others, helping others, hurting others without realizing it, feeling down on myself, low self-esteem, and feeling less than--well NOT ANY MORE. I'm grateful for my past and even more grateful that it has had a lesson to learn to be able to help God to help others with a cruel addiction that is overflowing our country.
Never feel down on the people that have such addictions--they are good people with a problem. Just take the steps to help them--especially if they come to you and say they have a problem and they need the help. I used to dream of being a nurse like my grandmother and work at a nursing home. But God had a different plan for me--working at a drug rehab. Who would have ever thought--me?! God did and my family and my daddy who knew exactly what recovering from addiction and helping others was all about.
I came to Narconon Arrowhead on Oct. 26, 2004 to help get off meth. My clean date is Oct. 1, 2004, but I was having the cravings, I knew that if I didn't get help I would be back on meth fast. I had already gotten myself into legal trouble and I knew that if I was going to have any kind of chance at life, I needed help fast.
My mother, daughter, aunt and uncle pulled together to get me to Narconon Arrowhead. The cost of legal issues and the cost of rehab didn't come cheap, but my family will tell you that the cost didn't matter if it gave me life--and boy, did it! I graduated Narconon on Feb. 11, 2005, my daughter's 19th birthday. She said it was the best birthday present she could ever have--her mommy back.
I came back full force, intention without reservation. I have repaired the damage with my family and friends and my legal issues by working my conditions. I have made a decision on which side of the fence I am. I have worked on my fair exchange and abundance of exchange with my family. I have my ethics in. I have worked hard to show by my actions that I have changed and I carried that on to the courts. Back on Sept. 2, 2005, I went before the judge on four felony counts. I had family and lots of friends by my side that day. The judge voted in my favor--no jail time necessary. I got the minimum of 5 years probation. I report by mail and was granted the right to return to Narconon Arrowhead to train to become staff.
I came back on 9/26/2005 and in 5 weeks, I made staff. I am working in withdrawal, the first step in helping people come off drugs, drug free. WOW! It's amazing the work I put into it and the results that come from it. I now realize that I had to take the steps I had to take to get where I am today and for that I AM TRULY GRATEFUL.
So thank you all for standing by me and praying for me. I promise to be the best me I can be and live the PURPOSE that God intended for me to live.
January 2007 Update: As for the year of 2006, I accomplished so much. I have now worked in Program Support Services here at Narconon Arrowhead for a year. Working with others and helping them get through their program as smoothly as possible is exactly what I do best. Seeing the end result of a student who struggles to face the issues as I did and overcoming obstacles that kept us from succeeding at times is amazing.
I am in awe every Friday as graduation comes around and seeing the smiles and the tears that flow through the group (me being one of them). Hearing the story that I once told 2 years ago (2/11/05) is what really gets to the students as they approach what seems to be something that they can't reach, but it gives them hope to keep moving forward.
I have a relationship with my family members and trust is never an issue anymore. I am now worthy of trust. My family loves to see me working in a drug rehab program and living on purpose and for that they give up their time which could be spent with me, which then allows me the opportunity to spend it helping others.
The unselfish and unconditional love which I receive allows me to give the same to the students here. I can honestly say that I love what I do and there is nothing that could ever replace how I feel. We have an office here at Narconon Arrowhead to which graduates check in as part of their followup program. Graduates also call me and email me on a regular basis to give me an update and that makes me proud. I continue the relationship that I have with the students after their completion. I share what I have and I give all I can to help the success of this program through communication with students and their families.
I've had and have so many opportunities here and I will continue to do what I do best, and I will do it with a PURPOSE. -- Sarie D., Graduate and Staff Member
Narconon Arrowhead Drug Prevention,
Education and Rehabilitation Center
Website: www.stopaddiction.com
1-800-468-6933
More graduate stories
10 Things Your Friends May Not Know About Drugs booklet
A simple easy-to-read booklet which exposes the most common false information that kids have. Step by step with illustrations the true information is given so young people can make the right decision.
(28-page booklet)
Marijuana The Myth -- DVD
Many have heard that "marijuana is natural" or "it can't hurt you" or "it only stays in your system for thirty days"... Is this really true? What are the real effects of Marijuana on your health? Hear the truth like you've never heard before! This video provides up-to-date information about marijuana for teenagers, which they won't get anywhere else. (Grade Level: Secondary School Grades 9 thru 12)
80 mins.
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