Breaking the Chains of Addiction Forever

 

I was born and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Life was good before drugs, but I had setbacks and trouble with kids at school. When I was 18, I started smoking pot. At first, I would only use it for a month or so and then stay away for a year at a time. But then I started getting into heavier drugs.

One of the happiest moments of my life was after I had just gotten married to my wife. My business was going good, I was sober, and we were making money. We were the most productive we had ever been.

When the pandemic hit, I started losing sight of things, getting caught up in business, hiring the wrong people, and letting things slip. I’ve lost relationships to drugs, had cars towed, and was even homeless for 3 years. It was a rat race trying to wake up in the morning and find the energy to make it through the day. It had snuck up on me.

One day, my wife walked into my shop and saw drug paraphernalia on my table and beer cans scattered all around. At that point, I didn’t care about my business or my belongings, but I cared about her. She gave me a choice: to do the Narconon program or get a divorce, so I ended up here.

When I first came through those gates, what I felt was relief. I decided to give it my all. I actually broke down crying when I first came in because I knew these people cared about me. All the students were very welcoming, and I made friends instantly. I started gaining weight. When I was using, I hadn’t been eating. I think I gained 10 pounds in just the first week of being at Narconon.

Before coming here, I was stuck. I was acting irrationally with a pseudo-personality of the people I used to be around. I had assumed this fake identity, and one day, it just lifted. It was so profound that I looked in the mirror afterward, and I looked completely different. At that point, I knew it was the biggest step toward becoming me that I had ever achieved, even before doing drugs. This was really powerful.

By the end of the program, I was engaging more, and I was more able. I noticed I was getting stronger, too. I felt clean because I didn’t have any more toxins in my body.

Now, my relationship with my family is amazing. My daughter comes home and is glad to see me. I get along with my wife, and if we have an issue, we talk it over and always come to an agreement.

“I have been clean for almost 2 years, and I’m looking forward to the next win, how I can help other people and make a difference.”

I have been clean for almost 2 years, and I’m looking forward to the next win, and how I can help other people and make a difference.

My favorite thing about being drug-free is the fact that everyone sees it. I can think clearly, and there is no brain fog. My communication is fast. I don’t have to worry about people finding out that I’m using. I’m right there with my customers in the present. My abilities have increased, and I have an endless supply of energy all the time.

My advice to someone currently suffering from addiction is to just get help. Put the control into someone else’s hands and let them guide you through the process. Don’t fight the system. It’s not a bad thing. And once you’re in recovery, stay connected. We pull each other through it.

J.R., Narconon Suncoast Graduate