Help make Addiction Week a reality

I encourage anyone who is in recovery or was affected by addiction to support this bill and to share the message of hope and change!

I felt frustrated by my new limitations, angry at the world and hopeless about my future. This is when my addiction to alcohol and pain medications began. In the following six and a half years, my need to numb my physical pain, shame, and frustration caused my addiction to grow out of control. I spiraled into a dark depression and isolated myself from everyone, suffering alone.

My situation reached ahead in the spring of 2012 when I realized that I had to get help or lose my wife, my job, my life.

I checked into The Orchard Recovery Centre, and with the support of their whole team began transforming myself both emotionally and physically. It began with the acceptance that I could not change this tragic thing that had happened to me, I had to focus on moving forward.

Learning how to notice and be grateful for all the good things I had in my life was a start. I learned how to open up and be honest, sharing my pain and allowing others in, accepting support. I released my shame and embraced self-acceptance. Without the crutch of alcohol and drugs, I found new and positive ways to manage my emotions and pain, including working out and eating healthy.

For many years, I felt o hopeless that I didn’t want to get out of bed. Now, I look forward to each day and wake up excited for what is to come. I have a whole new outlook on life.

This past April I celebrated 3 years clean and sober. I’ve embraced all the components of the recovery program that I committed to when leaving The Orchard and made them part of my lifestyle. Attending AA meetings regularly, connecting with my mentor and being of service to others in recovery is very important to me. As is my daily gratitude practice. I was taught to keep busy in recovery, fill your days, stay mentally, physically and emotionally fulfilled and this is what I have done.
I’ve reconnected with old friends and made some new ones, and I welcome more socializing and new activities in my life. I’ve continued with the focus on my physical health, not only losing over 100lbs but also starting a new career alongside my wife in her health and wellness business. During my dark time, I was completely self-absorbed. Now I find purpose and fulfillment inspiring others who are suffering, and showing them the steps towards better health and well being.

For many years, I felt so hopeless that I didn’t want to get out of bed. Now, I look forward to each day and wake up excited for what is to come. I have a whole new outlook on life. You hear these cliches before recovery and it’s just words. But now I am living it and the reality is better than I could have imagined. This is possible for everyone who wants it, but support at all levels is needed. That is why I am totally behind MP David Wilks and MP John Westin, and the Addiction Recovery Week PMP Bill C-674.

The Private bill is to encourage Canadians who are in recovery, to find definitions of what is recovery, and to encourage the government to invest in the movement. I encourage anyone who is in recovery or was affected by addiction to support this bill and to share the message of hope and change!