Do you feel overwhelmed, lost, and alone?

Are you engaging in unhealthy behaviours to avoid the things you can’t face?

Are you struggling to find the energy and motivation to make it through the day?  Or maybe, you’re too “on” and can’t switch “off”?

Dave Addison and I have both been there in different ways. You are definitely not alone, and most importantly –

THERE. IS. HOPE.

In this vulnerable episode of the Changing Lenses podcast, Dave shares his personal battle with alcohol addiction and mental illness, while working as a corporate executive in sales, marketing, and not-for-profit. Now as a Peer Support Champion and Mental Health Advocate, he talks about how employers can be more supportive – and how sufferers can find help, and hope.

For parents of children and youth going through substance abuse and mental illness (which Dave has lived through too), he also shares resources and help available to families.

Dave welcomes you to contact him [on LinkedIn] for more info, to ask questions, or just to talk.

In this episode:

[00:03:03]  Dave’s story of alcohol abuse, mental illness, and HOPE
[00:16:00]  Dismantling stigmas and debunking myth
[00:26:50]  Changing the conversation
[00:34:30]  Peer Support Champions and employer supports
[00:43:12]  Where to get help – for yourself, a coworker or loved one

Full transcript available here.

Guest Bio

Dave Addison is a Mental Health and Addiction Advocate, and Board Director with Families for Addiction Recovery.  Dave’s background includes corporate leadership roles in sales, marketing, and not-for-profit.  Now, Dave draws on his work experience and personal journey with mental health to support business leaders and people struggling with mental health and addiction.

2020 marks Dave’s 10th year of sobriety – congratulations, Dave!

Contact Dave: LinkedIn

References:

For parents/families of mental illness patients:

• Families for Addiction Recovery Canada - https://www.farcanada.org/ , 1-855-377-6677 Ext. 207
• Family Navigation Project (Toronto) - https://sunnybrook.ca/content/?page=family-navigation-project  

Are You in Crisis?

If you are experiencing a mental health or addictions related crisis:

• Call 1-833-456-4566 toll free (In Quebec: 1-866-277-3553), 24/7 or visit www.crisisservicescanada.ca.
• Call your provincial helpline (numbers below)
• Call Kids Help Phone (Canada-wide) 1-800-668-6868
• Call 911
• Go to the nearest hospital 

Additional resources mentioned:

• “Am I an alcoholic test” (two common ones):
• https://canadiancentreforaddictions.org/addicted-alcoholic-take-test/ 
• https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/problematic-alcohol-use.html#a8
• Alcoholics Anonymous:  https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/find-aa-resources 
• Hope & Me (MDAO) - https://www.mooddisorders.ca/ 
• Mental Health Innovations - https://mhic-cism.com/