Change isn’t easy. But it’s worth it.

Addiction lies. It says, “Just one more,” “You’ve got this under control,” or “This time will be different.” It convinces you that you need it to cope, to relax, to survive. But deep down, there’s a part of you that knows there’s something better. That part of you is still there—and it deserves to be heard.

This journey isn’t just about quitting forever. It’s about looking at your relationship with substances or behaviors and asking, Is this helping me? Or is it holding me back?

It’s about honesty. It’s about choosing clarity, peace, and connection—over chaos, shame, and regret.

Addiction messes with your brain. It makes the cravings feel louder than logic. But every time you make a choice that aligns with the life you actually want, that grip loosens. You get a little stronger. Over time, those new choices add up—and life starts to feel more manageable. Maybe even good.

In the beginning, it might feel like a fight. You’ll doubt yourself. The pull to go back is strong. But if you keep showing up for yourself—if you keep practicing those small shifts—you’ll notice something:
It doesn’t feel like a fight forever. Eventually, it feels like living.

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

I used to think alcohol was my best friend. Turns out, it was holding me hostage. I believed the lie that I needed it, that I couldn’t quit, or that life without it would be miserable. But when I finally reached out for help, everything started to change.

I’ve been free from alcohol for 18 years. I got there by changing how I saw it, what it was doing to me, and what I wanted instead. That decision didn’t fix everything overnight—but it gave me a shot at a life I actually want to be here for.

I still have hard days. I still face stress, self-doubt, and sometimes urges in other areas. But choosing to change my relationship with substances gave me my life back. Not a perfect life—but a real one. One I can show up for.

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s not about never slipping, never struggling, or never wanting to escape. It’s about being honest with yourself, and slowly building a life that doesn’t need numbing.

So—is it worth it to change?  Absolutely. Is it easy?  Not always. 

But is it possible, even if you’re unsure where to start? Yes. And you're not alone in it.

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