A Dad, A Person in Recovery, and A Counselor. Guiding Others to Sobriety by Sharing What Helps, What Doesn’t, and the Hard Lessons I’ve Learned.

“I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy; I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.”

Recovery isn’t just about quitting substances—it’s about reclaiming your life. Addiction is a relentless liar. It whispers, “Just one more,” “You’ve got this under control,” “This time will be different.” It convinces you that you need it, that life without it is impossible. Meanwhile, the real you—the part of you that wants more, that knows there’s a better way—is fighting to be heard.

This isn’t just about willpower. Addiction rewires your brain, making the cravings feel stronger than logic. But here’s the truth: the more you trust yourself, the weaker addiction’s grip becomes. It’s not about resisting forever—it’s about choosing a different life, over and over, until it becomes second nature.

The Journey of Change: Trusting the Process

Recovery starts with one decision—but it’s built through consistent choices. In the beginning, it’s hard. You’ll doubt yourself. The cravings will come. The voice of addiction will try to pull you back. But if you keep going, something shifts.

The chaos fades. The fog lifts. You stop waking up in regret. You start showing up for yourself. You begin to feel present, connected, and fully alive.

At first, it feels like a fight. But then, one day, you realize you’re not battling anymore. Sobriety isn’t a struggle—it’s just your life. You’re no longer just trying to “stay sober.” You’re living.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

If you’re struggling with addiction, I’m here to help—to listen, encourage, and support you.  If you’re struggling, reach out. Whether it’s with me or someone else, honor yourself to get the help you deserve.

I’m a person in recovery. My substance of choice was alcohol, and I’ve been living free from it for 18 years. I got sober at 23, and while that decision saved my life, it didn’t magically fix everything. Recovery isn’t a finish line you cross—it’s a lifelong process, a constant work in progress. Some days, it feels like growth. Other days, it feels like survival. But through it all, it’s been worth it.

My recovery has been anything but smooth. Addiction had a strong grip on my life—chaos, regret, shame… you name it, I felt it. Getting sober meant facing all of that head-on. And let me be clear: recovery doesn’t erase struggle. I still deal with mental health challenges. I still battle addictive behaviors in other areas of my life. I am far from perfect, and I don’t have it all figured out. But here’s what I do know—choosing sobriety gave me a chance. A chance to build a life with a future.

People sometimes ask, "What’s your number one priority? Your kids? Your career?" And the answer is simple: staying sober comes first. Because without that, I wouldn’t have my kids, my career, or anything else that makes life meaningful. I remind myself every day that addiction is always waiting for an opening, and all it takes is one drink for everything to unravel. But as long as I don’t pick up that first one, life stays manageable. It’s not perfect, but it’s real.

Recovery doesn’t promise you an easy life—but it gives you the tools to live a better one. Life still happens in sobriety. It’s overwhelming. It’s messy. But it’s also beautiful, peaceful, and full of meaning in a way that addiction never allowed.

To everyone who has supported me along the way—thank you. This is why I do what I do; giving back what I was so graciously given; support :)

Alcohol fed me the same lies over and over. “This is the last time.” “Just have a few.” I believed it. I had good intentions, but addiction was stronger than me. No matter how hard I tried to control it, I failed. And every failure made me feel more hopeless.

The thought of quitting? Terrifying. Alcohol felt like my best friend—I didn’t want to lose that relationship. But looking back, it wasn’t a friendship. It was a hostage situation.

Even at my lowest, addiction was calling the shots. I told myself quitting wasn’t possible and that sobriety meant misery. But that was another lie. When I finally got help, I realized: there is a way out, and no, sobriety is not miserable.

I got sober because, at the end of the day, I wanted to live more than I wanted to die. I was exhausted. Addiction is brutal. It wrecks relationships, destroys self-worth, and steals your future. It whispers, “You’re a piece of shit. You can’t change.” But that’s not true. You are better than the guilt. You are stronger than the addiction.

So, is recovery better than addiction? 100% YES. Is it perfect? Hahaha, not even close. Sobriety isn’t easy, but if you make it your priority, life opens up in ways you never imagined.

I don’t have all the answers—I’m still figuring things out. But I do know this: recovery works. There’s a way out, and it’s worth it.

My perspective on addiction is simple: it’s not just about quitting substances—it’s about reclaiming your life. While my views may not align with everyone, I welcome different perspectives. Addiction is complex, and no single approach works for everyone. But one thing is certain—recovery isn’t just about sobriety. It’s about understanding the battle happening inside you.

The Internal Battle: Temptation vs. Reason

Imagine a constant fight within—temptation (that devil whispering, “Just one more, you can control it”) vs. reason (“You know where this leads”). Addiction pulls hard, convincing you this time will be different, that you’ve got it under control. Meanwhile, your authentic self—the real you—fights to resist, to choose something better. This isn’t just about willpower. Addiction rewires your brain, making cravings feel stronger than logic. But here’s the truth: the more you empower your real self, the weaker addiction’s grip becomes.

Breaking Free: When the Battle Ends

Recovery happens when you stop negotiating with the Dark Side—when “just one more” is no longer an option. The moment you see addiction for what it is—a liar that never delivers—you take back your power. At some point, you stop battling the demon. Sobriety isn’t a fight anymore—it becomes a journey of growth. Breaking free starts with differentiating your authentic self from the dark side.

I have been alcohol free for 18 years. I feel that is the best qualification to have. I do also have some educational qualifications. I am a registered Addictions Counselor with the following governing bodies:

Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF) 

• Canadian Certified Addictions Counselor (CCAC)
• Certified Indigenous Addictions Counselor (CIAC)
• Medication Assisted Treatment Specialist (MATS)

Canadian College of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists (CCPCP)

•  Registered Psychotherapist