Pubdate: Fri, 03 Apr 2009 Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 The Vancouver Sun Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/letters.html Website: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477 Author: Don Hume Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n367/a01.html RECOVERING ADDICT DRAWS HOPE FROM EDITORIAL Re: Addiction should be treated as a disease, not as a moral failing, Editorial, March 31 Thank you for this editorial about addiction. It offers me hope. A couple of years ago, I decided to try various drugs. I had a relative who was using even after treatment, so I decided to find out what the situation was all about. I believed that I was a strong person, and could try drugs without having a problem. To make a long, sad story short, I was wrong ,and I became addicted to crack cocaine. It has been the challenge of my life to be clean. I even reached the point of wanting to end my life because I couldn't stop using. I am grateful for programs available through Coastal Mental Health, an excellent drug and alcohol counsellor, and supportive family and friends for seeing me through this bizarre period in my life. However, the cost has been high. The religious community of which I am a part both as an adherent and professional appears to need to distance itself and ensure that I am not involved in any way. So be it. It was, however, the wonderful people in the pews who wouldn't let me go. Thank God! I have had several falls from the "wagon of abstinence," which I think is more the norm for recovering addicts, and has been a source of heartache for everyone. I am clean and with the help of God and my family and friends I will continue to be clean. I am glad the editorial doesn't condemn me as a moral failure. Don Hume Vancouver - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin