This week, I thought I鈥檇 talk about National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW), which is Nov. 24-30.

This subject is very dear to me as I am a recovering alcoholic after I drank heavily for much too long.

However, I鈥檝e been sober for a long time now. Woohoo! And if I can quit drinking, anybody can. Don鈥檛 believe me? Well, when I quit, I had been drinking pretty well every day for a whole year, except for a few days every once in a while.

I鈥檓 not saying I got drunk every day, because some days I only had a drink or two, but I still drank. Alas, it was difficult for me to be around people who were not drinking. So, I often stayed home鈥� and sipped鈥� alone. I had mickeys hidden all over the place. Sound familiar?

Finally, I put myself in a treatment centre, and I just felt relief. 鈥淚 no longer have to drink,鈥� I told myself. Why? Because everybody in the centre was there for the same thing. We all drank too much. And I鈥檓 happy to say, I never drank again.

So, yeah, if I could do it, you can do it!

Purpose of National Addictions Awareness Week

So, what is the purpose of National Addictions Awareness Week? It is to openly raise the profile of all sorts of addictions and to promote that people should become more aware of the effects of addiction and what we can do to help. 

And how do we do that? First of all, people should learn about substance use, its impacts and how to prevent harm. And, very importantly, we need to educate others, especially those who are still using.

It鈥檚 about reducing the stigma of addictions. That means people need to know that it鈥檚 OK to openly talk about addictions, going for treatment and recovery. We should also challenge people who call down, discriminate, or shame people who are still drinking, using drugs, gambling, binge eating, etc.

One thing I always remember is shortly after I stopped drinking, a guy who had obviously been drinking quite a bit walked past my friends and I. We knowingly smirked at each other. An AA member was with us and said, 鈥淭here, but for the grace of God, go I.鈥� That鈥檚 all that he said. He was reminding us that we were in that same situation a while back and could easily get back into it!

Today when I see someone who is under the influence, I thank God/Creator for helping me to get out of that lifestyle. I know that I could have easily been still 鈥渨alking around like a zombie.鈥� Eschia, take it easy eh.

Sam from the Gold Range once told me, 鈥淎re you going to be walking around like a zombie again all weekend?鈥� Thank you, Sam; that comment helped me sober up.

We also need to encourage our friends, family and others to get help. Let them know it's OK to talk to you about their addictions. Tell them that there are free and confidential services available and maybe even look some up for them.

Give them ideas of how to get into treatment and provide examples of people who have successfully stopped abusing alcohol or drugs. Maybe even go to an addictions counsellor with them. That first step is very important.

We can also promote substance-free activities like AA dances, potlucks, picnics and other family gatherings. After my dad and I stopped drinking, my mother made all of our family gatherings alcohol-free. That really helped us with our sobriety. Thanks, Mom.

NIC 2 Gathering and Drum Dance on Dec. 1

As part of National Addictions Awareness Week, there will be a sober gathering on Dec. 1, sponsored by the 快盈v3 Indigenous Counselling students of Rhodes Wellness College and Dene Wellness Warriors.
The event will be at the 快盈v3 United Place (NUP) in Yellowknife and will start at 2 p.m. The students are calling it a celebration of "our resilience as Indigenous people." They invite you to come 鈥渃elebrate your resilience鈥� with them.

There will be guest speakers talking about their journey, including Harvey Pierrot, Donna Schroeder, Cody Erasmus, Christa Harris, Tanisha-Kelly Harris and Ildiko Etthidzine. There will also be an open mic where people will be able to share their own stories. Yesss!

At 6 p.m., a delicious supper will be enjoyed by all. Then at 7:30 p.m. there will be a drum dance. Woohoo!

You are invited to bring your slippers, your story and laughter with you because 鈥渨e are still here; we hear you; we see you!鈥�

I鈥檓 told there will be door prizes every hour. So come on down!

I don鈥檛 know about you, but I know I鈥檒l be there and talking about my journey as well. We need to do this so people know they can do it too. Are you gonna share your story?

If anyone wants more information on the gathering and drum dance, they should contact Marie Speakman at speakman.marie@gmail.com.

Happy National Addictions Awareness Week everyone!!