I Thought I Was Going to Die An Addict

Before I came to Narconon Suncoast, I was badly addicted to drugs and extremely suicidal. I lacked enthusiasm for anything, except for heroin and my cat. I constantly lied to my mother and refused to take responsibility for any aspect of my life. I constantly put myself in extremely dangerous situations because I truly had no regard for my own life. I was homeless off and on and would bounce from house to house, couch to couch, never really feeling like I actually belonged anywhere.

I tried rehab a few times, and when they didn’t work, I found myself in psychiatric hospitals. I would get diagnosed with some new “disorder” and got prescribed more drugs, hoping they would take the needle out of my arm. They didn’t. They just made me numb enough to not care anymore. After all that, I never thought I’d ever actually get clean. It wasn’t a reality for me. I figured that I’d die an addict and as a disappointment to my family. When I would get high, I secretly hoped that every shot I took would kill me and put me out of my misery. Little did I know, when I got to Narconon Suncoast, that the last time I stuck a needle in my arm actually would be the last time.

When I got here I was underweight anÂd literally days away from death. Working this program has not only changed me physically, but it’s changed my perspective on my life and the people in it. I’ve also gained a whole new purpose. I actually want to live for the first time in years! My communication with my mom is now better than it has ever been. I honestly couldn’t be more proud of the person I’ve become. I have even decided to stay here at Narconon Suncoast and continue on this path to become a staff member in the future. For the first time, in a very long time, I am looking forward to the challenges I will face because the Narconon program has given me the tools to handle them.

K.S. - Narconon Suncoast Student