Rehab patient discusses recovery from alcoholism ahead of Bell Let’s Talk Day

With addictions crises affecting communities across the country, a client at a local rehab centre shared his recovery story ahead of Bell Let’s Talk Day.

For 30-year-old Jacob Duberville, an external crisis worsened an internal crisis.

“I had a pretty bad house fire,” recalled Duberville. “Lost everything. Lost my truck, lost a dog, two cats.”

With the fire to go with a challenging upbringing, Duberville says he turned to alcohol to cope with his hardships.

“Six months of drinking every single day, and I was on the brink of suicide,” he added. “One step after another, I really realized that it was time to change my life.”

That life-saving realization prompted the Ottawa resident to make the five-plus hour drive to Metamorphosis Centre for Change in Wasaga Beach, where he found the resources he needed to chase sobriety.

“At a certain point, a human being needs professional help to get those tools that you maybe didn’t have before,” said Duberville.

The private Wasaga Beach rehab centre serves nearly 250 people each year, connecting them to qualified professionals, classes and other resources to help them through the early stages of their healing journey.

Dr. Leonard Bienenstock is the medical director at the rehab centre. He says those dealing with substance addictions are nearly four times more likely to recover if they seek a formal treatment program.

“We use cancer as a metaphor,” said Dr. Bienenstock. He also practices at Comprehensive Treatment Clinic in Toronto. “Without treatment, people will die. The same is applicable to mental health and substance use disorders. They’re as serious and they’re as urgent.”

In Barrie, Crystal Husbands, a mental health crisis worker at the Simcoe County branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), discusses other available resources.

“We have the 24 hour crisis line, as well as the Crisis Beds program,” said Husbands. “We also do have some outreach workers as well that offers crisis supports in a longer term manner.”

The Barrie Police Service is also involved with their Mobile Crisis Response Team, ensuring those who are in crisis are dealt with safely.

“We’re not there to necessarily arrest and charge the person,” said Const. Guy Peters. “We’re there to support the person to get them connected with community services.”

Back in Wasaga Beach, Duberville is nearly two weeks sober and hoping to change careers from construction to mental health and addictions support when he returns home.

“It’s nice to kind of have hope,” stated Duberville. “Just ready to help others.”

While those who are in crisis are urged to reach out for help, those who know of someone else in crisis are urged to ask them how they can help.

Local crisis lines of note are 705-728-5044 and 1-888-893-8333.