Getting My Granddaughter Back
Before my granddaughter started using drugs, she was very energetic, competitive, and would play sports all the time. She was thoughtful and kind and loved her family.
It was when she was in college that she started using. I noticed that she started gambling. Her sleeping patterns changed, and she ended up sleeping a lot. Then she started to lose weight. She got into a relationship that was very destructive and would argue and fight all the time. She began to act very hostile and combative.
We couldn’t trust her anymore as she had started stealing from us. She was always broke because of her gambling, and she would hang out with people that were connected to drugs.
The hardest thing was knowing that we had to do something drastic but at the same time not wanting to lose her. I knew tough love was what she needed but did not want to go there in case it didn’t work.
But her actions were going to get her killed, so we got together as a family like an intervention and spoke to her. It was explained to her that with everything happening in her life, she could not continue to be around us. So she decided to go to Narconon.
The staff at Narconon Arrowhead were great. They were very understanding and firm, which was what was needed. They kept in touch with us and let us know how she was doing.
While she was doing the Narconon Program, she became more open. She turned back into a loving person and was starting to think about her life and her choices more.
“When she graduated, I was very, very proud of what she had accomplished. It was heartwarming to see the person I loved back.”
When she graduated, I was very, very proud of what she had accomplished. It was heartwarming to see the person I loved back.
Since she graduated, I have noticed that she is focused. She got a job and didn’t let any time go to waste. We have a very close relationship now, and it is good to have her back. The best part is that she has her goals and she works all the time toward meeting them. And now she is accountable. Narconon gave her time to reflect. It is too bad that not everyone gets the time to step back without the pressure of life issues and reflect on what they have done and what choices they’ve made.
The advice I would give to another whose family member is addicted would be this: don’t wait and just let things happen. You have to be strong and try to intervene, even if it is the hardest thing you have ever done.
Elaine B., Grandmother of graduate
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