1997

Editor’s Note: After surviving an overdose on February 2, Reggie spent time in hospital and then went through detox programs in Charlottetown and Souris. Although he had survived the immediate medical crisis and stopped using drugs for a period, his own account makes clear that the struggle was far from over.

Depression in Souris

My mother is a nurse at Souris Detox so I was only allowed to be there because she is on vacation, otherwise it would be a conflict of interest, unfortunately. My parents live on the same street as the detox and I was able to see the house from my room there, which also made my stay difficult.

Adding to this I had recently separated from my wife and 2 children, Steven, 10, and [V], who was born during my stay in detox the previous year. I think we may be the textbook dysfunctional family.

With the help of my family doctor, A. Kennedy, a childhood friend who has recently returned to Souris after a 20 year absence spent in Ireland. When my parents returned from SF, I was released from Detox to stay in their home.

My most prominent memory of this month spent there is the shotgun which I gazed at every night before I went to bed and every morning when I woke, contemplating a way out of my misery.

Asking for Help

Severely depressed, and feeling that I just could [not?] handle life at the time I asked to be committed to some sort of treatment facility.

This turned out to be Lonewater Farm in (outside of) St. John, New Brunswick.

I went there on March 29 still miserable and unhappy. I had expected it to be a serious treatment facility but mostly it was just a ‘warehouse’ for winos from St. John wanting to get off the streets for a while. 3 meals a day and a roof over their heads, and, of course, a welfare check.

Lonewater Farm

My stay there, sick as I was, was made easier by several guys from P.E.I. who I met and befriended there: Ken from Montague, Bob from Charlottetown, and Tom from Charlottetown.

All of these guys are involved in my story – condensed version. Bob and Tom later came to stay at Talbot House with me.

After 6 weeks at Lonewater, I went in to St. John on a routine trip, and went straight to a bar. I hadn’t planned this; I just felt drawn there (fate? destiny?).

Of course, I had several beer which led to my expulsion from Lonewater, and my return to P.E.I.

Relapse and Starting Again

After getting kicked out of there I realized that being sober for six weeks hadn’t been that bad and I became determined to continue to explore this lifestyle choice.

I should also mention that I went on a 2 day cocaine binge when I got to Souris which also helped me to come to the realization that I didn’t want that way of life anymore.

This also taught me that some positive can come out of a relapse and we need not always focus on the negative, as is usually the case, especially within the justice system.

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Editor’s Note

Reggie’s account of this period is important because recovery was not a straight line. Within a relatively short period, he survived an overdose, went through hospital treatment and several detox programs, experienced severe depression, asked for further treatment, remained sober for six weeks, drank again, was expelled from treatment, returned home and used cocaine again.

Yet Reggie did not describe the relapse as proof that attempting sobriety had been pointless. Instead, he took something from the six weeks during which he had remained sober. In his words, he became determined to “continue to explore this lifestyle choice.”

His next attempt would take him to Talbot House, where another chapter of his recovery would begin.

Talbot House

After several days in Souris I contacted Dr. Jones, who has dealt with me for several years in her capacity as an addictions specialist, and asked her to refer me to Talbot House. Talbot was then under the supervision of Inez T., who is now on a leave of absence to attend Dalhousie University, where she is studying for her Masters Degree in Psychology.

Inez is a stern but caring lady, sort of a motherly type. She interviewed me and accepted me into the house.

Several weeks later she told me that she was unsure whether to accept me or not (she has a background in corrections and I have long been involved in criminal behavior. She was dubious of my sincerity and motivation as I had pending legal issues).