If you did not get to see the Narconon live graduation event this past Friday, you missed out on a wonderful celebration of hope, optimism and determination. You missed out on an Oscar moment in time. Families gathered to watch students as they were recognized for finishing core parts of their rehab by getting course completion certificates as well as other winning moments in their recovery process.
Narconon understands that no matter where a person is in his or her recovery, each step is a challenge that is recognized when met successfully. As a person meets that challenge, he or she has renewed strength to move forward to the next step. All combined, it makes for a wonderful and successful treatment program and what better time of year to celebrate such an event as right at Christmas time?
With caroling, special songs by a very talented and lovely young lady and a little bit of humor as well as a lot of determination, the students came forward to receive their certificates and to thank their counselors and their families. As this writer watched the live graduation event, I saw what I had known was there all along but seeing it concreted the facts: each article on drug addiction, each article on symptoms and signs, they are all about someone’s real story, someone’s real need for help and someone’s real recovery.
The festive atmosphere was reinforced by the beautiful Christmas tree and the adorable Santa/elf hats worn by some of the staff and students. Even more refreshing was that the students themselves took part in the live graduation event, not just as students but as a choir. Songs of celebration, Christmas and hope abounded as they accompanied a lovely and talented young singer.
As they came forward to receive their certificates, some seemed nervous but you could see in their eyes that they were just happy and perhaps a touch overwhelmed that they were in a place they dreamed of reaching, a place that spoke of second chances and renewed hope because they deserved it. As a young man looked over at his family and thanked them for being there, as he thanked his counselors as well, you knew that you were seeing something that does not just take place in front of television sets across several countries regarding the academy awards presentations, you were seeing the ultimate Oscar moment in time for some very special individuals who had made a decision that impacted their lives and the lives of their loved ones as they move forward towards a new journey.
Nick Hayes is a graduate of the Narconon drug rehab program in 2005. Nick takes much enjoyment in writing, and feels there needs to be more information about drugs and alcohol provided to the people of the world. He believes nobody should have to go through an addiction.