Select A Program

Nothing extraordinary about saving a life

Angela vividly remembers the day in 2005 when she was talking to Mike on the phone. "Even though he told me he loved me, I knew something was wrong."

I decided to go to his family's home and bring him some chicken noodle soup. When I arrived, he was cold and sweaty. He started gasping for air and convulsing. He had obviously overdosed. His parents arrived home shortly after and his dad immediately called 911. I began doing CPR until the paramedics arrived.

Mike had ingested a large amount of methodone and morphine liquid mixture. He was introduced to alcohol and marijuana at the age of 14, and his life spiraled out of control from there. Soon the weekend drug use turned into an every day addiction.

At the age of 20, he went through a 3-month rehab treatment program. But on his first weekend out, he relapsed. This would become a pattern for many years.

Mike is the youngest of four children in a family brought up with strong Christian beliefs. When reflecting on his youth the strongest emotion he recalls is one of abandonement. My dad (now a retired minister) was always away, out looking after other people's families. I felt alone; left out.

When Mike and Angela started dating, she was unaware that he was still doing drugs. Fortunately, Angela already had strong ties with the Abbotsford Addictions Centre as a participant in the young girl's self-esteem group. "AAC is a great place to find unconditional support. They meet you right where you're at and never judge you," says Angela.

Abbotsford Addictions Centre honors the courage and committment of individuals making positive changes in their lives at the annual Braveheart and Life Saver Awards. "If Angela hadn't done what she did for me that day in 2005, I would have died," says Mike.

That's why AAC awarded Angela a Lifesaver Award - recognizing people who have made a difference in the lives of others struggling with addiction. "It's not necessary to make a big deal out of it," she says. "I just did what I needed to do for someone I love."

Mike and Angela are now enjoying parenting their one-year-old son. "Of all the roads I traveled in my recovery, the ACS Addictions Centre is the best thing that ever happened to me," comments Mike. "Because of the support I received from couselling and groups at AAC, I now have the strength and courage to be the husband and father I was always meant to be. They have helped me see the life I was created to live."

- Summer 2007 -