Dave Addison is a former corporate executive and survivor of alcohol abuse disorder, manic and bipolar I. Now as a Peer Support Champion and Mental Health Advocate, he tells his very personal story, and how current sufferers and their supporters can find hope.
In this episode
[00:03:03] Dave’s story of alcohol abuse, mental illness, and HOPE
[00:16:00] Dismantling stigmas and debunking myths
[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
Guest bio and references:
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
Resources:
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/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
Help Lines, Resources and Peer Support by Province (not comprehensive):
Yukon
1-844-533-3030
British Columbia
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789 (no area code)
Alberta
Mental Health Help Line: 1 (877) 303-2642
Addictions Helpline 1 (866) 332-2322
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line 1 (855) 242-3310
Saskatchewan
1-833-456-4566
Regina: 306-525-5333
Saskatoon: 306-933-6200
Manitoba
Suicide Prevention & Support Line: 1-877-435-7170
Klinic Crisis Line (24/7): 1-888-322-3019
Ontario
Quebec
1-866-APPELLE (277-3553)
New Brunswick
1-800-667-5005
Nova Scotia
1-888-429-8167
Prince Edward Island
1-800-218-2885
Newfoundland
1-888-737-4668
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/
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Episode Transcript
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Music Credits for this Episode
Intro:
What Words Can't Describe, by Vlad Gluschenko
License: CC BY 3.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en
Outro:
Beautiful Modern Rock Pop Guitar All Goodness Background Music, by Royalty Free Music
License: CC BY-NC-ND 3.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en
Interludes:
Belief in Future, by ANtarctic Breeze
