When addiction to drugs or alcohol strikes, the situation can seem hopeless. The addict may make promises to “cut down” or quit that he or she just can’t keep. But that is the nature of addiction. The physical and mental dependence on the drug may override every other concern, including one’s morals and sometimes even care for one’s children.
Addicts are so often sunk in the hopelessness of their own situation that help from their families may be the only thing that helps them overcome the addiction and achieve a drug-free life.
“It’s a common story when you are dealing with addicts,” stated
This success is exemplified by the story of Kathryn W., a 2008 graduate of the program at Narconon Arrowhead. Kathryn said, “I battled addiction to alcohol and opiates for twenty years. It got started after an injury that ended my hopes for a professional tennis career. Alcohol and pain pills made the pain go away. I went to school but flunked out, then became a functional addict while I worked as an x-ray technician. But it didn’t last. Every time I tried to get clean, it would last a little while then I would relapse again. I finally lost that job and found myself penniless and homeless.
“I pulled away from my family, just letting them know that I was alive from time to time. My 43rd birthday found me in jail. My brother tracked me down and his wife found the Narconon program and decided that it was the right one for me since other types of rehab just hadn’t worked for me.
“My family pulled together and offered me one last chance at rehabilitation. I jumped at the opportunity and luckily the judge allowed me to go. I went straight from jail to Narconon. I’ve got eighteen months clean, and I know I can handle anything life throws at me without needing the escape of drugs or alcohol. What’s also important to me is that I am finally back in the lives of my family. This year, for the first time in twenty years, I visited my family for Thanksgiving and was invited back for Christmas.”
Kathryn’s family echoed her comments. The first time she saw her brother after completing rehab, he told her, “I have my little sister back that I haven’t seen since you were eighteen.”
His wife Anne told the story of their decision to support Kathryn’s recovery.
“Kathryn had tried going to meetings and two 30-day rehabs but nothing seemed to work. She was not able to stay clean or hold the same job for any length of time. We decided on the Narconon program as it stresses physical detoxification and the development of valuable life skills. During the her stay at Narconon, we continually emphasized to her that this was the last drug and alcohol rehab program that we would pay for and that we hoped she would complete the program and utilize the life skills she learned to make a meaningful life for herself.
“It’s been nearly a year since Kathryn graduated from the Narconon program,” Anne added. “We feel that Kathryn has a wonderful future in front of her and we are so proud of all she’s accomplished. Most of all, it’s wonderful to have Kathryn as a part of our family again.”
To find immediate help for someone who is having a problem with any kind of drug or alcohol, contact Narconon’s free addiction consultation and referral helpline at 1-800-468-6933 or visit their website at http://www.stopaddiction.com/. The Narconon program was founded in 1966 by William Benitez in
