A friend of the family had been through a program called Narconon, and gave me the contact number. By the time I
Get help from a Narconon counselor now!
called, I was desperate for help – for anything. I knew bad things were coming, but wanted to desperately to get my life back. From the second someone said hello, and I said, I needed help; Narconon fought relentlessly to help me. I boarded a plane within hours of making the initial contact with a representative (an angel named Cheryl) and sitting in Montreal in customs. I had no identification, only some clothes, an addiction, and most importantly Narconon! No I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to cross the border without identification but it’s nothing sort of a miracle if you do. I sat 12 hours while Narconon worked every outlet possible to get me into Canada, and their program. Finally I was granted entry, and I knew everything was finally going to be different for me. Nobody at Narconon had ever met me, only a short phone call was the only contact, and already Narconon was doing amazing things to help me. These people had been in my shoes and found a way out. Now they were helping me, and little did I know, they were practicing what they preach to help me. I wanted what they had!
During my time at Narconon, I learned the tools to get off drugs, stay off drugs, and face my problems of the past and future. I cleansed my body of past drug abuse naturally, and started to exercise again regularly. During this time I repaired relationships with family and loved ones, and began preparing for my legal ballets awaiting me at home. Narconon helped me through all this, and encouraged me to deal with my problems, and not run from them.
Upon re-entry in the USA, i was picked up and charged for past that had finally caught up with me. The judge sentenced me to five years. This seems harsh, but I was guilty, and this is my debt to society. I am currently two and half years into my sentence, and it will be another two years before I’m released. There are no words to express the pain I’ve caused my loved ones, but they see the change in me, and are proud of me for dealing with my problems personally, and not hiding or running.
Throughout this time Narconon has stayed in touch regularly with my family and myself. All the old friends are gone – only family and Narconon remain. I use the tools I learned at Narconon daily, and couldn’t get by without it. Drugs, and violence are rampant inside, as they are out, but I’ve stayed completely drug free! Not only did I learn how to stay clean, but how to be a better person, and contribute positively to any group. I am so grateful.
Upon release I’m planning to get on staff at a Narconon in the states, and return the same lifesaving time and skills that were given to me. I want to be a contributing factor in my family, community, country and world. Everyone makes mistakes; it’s how we handle that mistake that defines our lives, and also the lives around us. I want to give back what has been given to me – a happy drug free life; no matter what life throws my way.
© 2009 Narconon Trois-Rivières. All Rights Reserved.
NARCONON is a trademark and service mark owned by Association for Better Living and Education and is used with its permission.
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.