Narconon Trois-Rivieres Success Story

Did you stick with the program?

I did. I don’t know how, or at the time, why, but I did. I can’t tell you the number of times I wanted to leave the program, sure, but I stayed and stuck it out. Looking back, I’m surprised I even went, because I didn’t want to stop using. I just hit a rock bottom and snapped out of it long enough, really, and I’m convinced that’s what it takes for any addict to really want help.

I just woke up this one fateful morning, while I was still in Toronto, utterly depressed. Everything had hit me; what I was doing to myself, to society, to my friends, but more importantly, what I did to my parents. I was just overwhelmed with grief. I called my mother but couldn't even talk because I had this knot in my throat. My pride prevented me from saying too much, but I was so broken that my mother just knew this was the opportunity she had been waiting for.

She told me to call the director of Narconon Canada, who was fortunately in Toronto, which I did. He and I made an appointment to meet as soon as I could make it to the address. I recall being just filthy, smelling like a dirty street punk in his office but he was so cool and never made me feel ashamed or worthless. He was so easy to talk to and very caring and I still admire him to this day for his down to earth yet professional demeanour. He helped get me on a bus that night, and when I arrived in Montreal the next morning, it was Marc Bernard, our current ED, who’s been the main pillar at Narconon ever since, who picked me up and that was it.

So now you wanted to get off drugs?

Actually no, I didn’t and I didn't think I had a problem either. I had been doing drugs, which is what I thought I wanted (back then) and that was it. But when I got there, I was apathetic and I did the program because I felt bad for my mom and dad. I’m convinced I stayed because the withdrawal program helped to handle one of the reasons why I was in so much pain in the first place and so depressed, which I only aggravated every time I took drugs - severe nutritional deficiencies. I’m also convinced I stayed because the staff, particularly Marc Bernard. He’s an amazing man, caring, knowledgeable, and determined; a great example for me even today. Never once did I feel like I was judged, made to feel guilty or worthless by him - I already felt this way on my own, if I got this from him too, I wouldn’t have stayed, that’s for sure.

I’m also convinced that I stayed because they program is just amazing! The Narconon program doesn’t delve into "how do you feel," "why do you do drugs," or kill the fight in you by surrendering, berating you as a means to control you, or turning you into a victim by dubbing addiction as a mental disease to which there is no cure (instead of just admitting they don’t know how to free anyone from addiction for real) like most centres do.

I would have left in a heartbeat if that was what the program was about. There is no way I would have been helped by being asked questions I didn’t know, or focusing on my addiction instead of my problems in life, or my physical health the way Narconon did!

Because the Narconon program focuses on solving real tangible problems, at some point I was able to turned things around for me: I no longer cared about drugs - my only interest was doing the program. I recall someone offering me cocaine half way through, and I said no, easily. The interest was just gone! It was so evident right then that the Narconon program is really effective.

What benefits did you get from doing the Narconon program?

I really had so many, but one big win for me occurred one day during the Detoxification program: all these memories of being a toddler came back to me! In the sauna, all these memories of me being a kid with my parents - all these happy memories came back. I remember jumping with enthusiasm and shouting "Oh my God! I was a kid at one point!" Before the Detoxification program I had not realized that I had forgotten ever being a child. I didn’t see the zombie, or mindless drone that I turned into. Drugs ended up hiding my past and deleting my future from me, without my even knowing it. It was an incredible feeling to remember all this!

With that, I also started remembering who I was! The real me, all that is good in me, started coming back. I was a vegetarian and an environmentalist before I started drugs and when I was living on the street, but the more drugs I used the less I cared about everything. But thanks to Narconon’s amazing program, I started caring again. I started going around Narconon to make sure that the recycling was properly separated from the garbage; I would ensure that I was eating healthy again, I went Vegan, and so on and so forth. It is so incredible to me that I actually cared once more! Even my supposed hatred of mankind faded to reveal that I actually love people and want to help. All because of the Narconon program!

Currently you are working for Narconon, how did that come about?

I'm an honest person and I don't like hiding things. I did drugs, I lived on the streets and that's a part of me. I don't like having to hide that and I don't have to do that here. Also, I love seeing people get their lives back like I did. I love being a part of the only real solution to truly rehabilitating people, seeing someone get to a position where they can really help themselves and achieve what they want to in life. It’s such a good feeling to see the change these people go through by the end of their programs!

Is there a particular success story you wish to share?

One success story that stands out for me is a mother of three kids, who ended up becoming an alcoholic and as a result wasn't really being a mother as far as I understand, not even in contact with her children at all for a few years by the time she arrived at Narconon. Because of the Narconon, she finally got in touch with her kids and her daughter even came here for her mother’s graduation. It was such an awesome reunion; they were both crying tears of joy. It was a huge win for all concerned.

This woman started working for Narconon herself, and managed to get her son here to do the program too. He was also lost in the drug scene. He successfully completed the program and started working here too, helping to get others off of drugs.

After completing the program, it was the first time in years that I had a future. Because of Narconon, I can plan things and make them happen. I can create my life and my future and have fun doing it. Just knowing that it is possible to create a future I really want is a considerable win. Today I have a wonderful fiancé, with plans to advance in my career, buy a house and have children. All that was something that I considered impossible before.

What do you like the most about working with Narconon?

ABesides seeing people arrive on the brink of death, and completely turn their lives around for the best, I love that the staff really care about people. They have respect for everyone that comes through our doors. They also know that they can help addicts get off drugs for good.

These factors are very important elements to the success of the program. At Narconon, staff know that down deep people are good, that there are specific reasons why someone got into drugs, and that Narconon can help someone handle these underlying reasons. Some of our clients, when they come here, think that all they're going to do is get off drugs and are afraid to go home and have to face or deal with family or criminal activities that they had done and are now going to court for, and so on. They learn that we're here to help them handle that too. That's usually one reason why they got into drugs, or why they stayed on them. Narconon gives them life skills (in many cases for the first time) so that they can address the situations that they couldn’t before. They learn to face problems so they don't have to run away from these issues and resort to drugs.

Sometimes our clients are afraid that our program will change them, and they’re reluctant to continue (or even start) because that’s the last thing they want to do, but change is completely not what the program helps them do. It literally rehabilitates them. All that ends up happening is the real them comes forth. Not some unknown person, but who they have been all along, suppressed long ago; the real them that their family, real friends and themselves love!

At Narconon we deliver actual rehabilitation and this is why the program is such a success.

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