I came to Alberta full of expectations and enthusiasm for a new life. I was leaving behind a broken marriage and a small city without much work. I arrived in Grande Prairie and soon got a job in the patch making the big bucks. After several months there and seeing too many lonely guys on drugs and full of complaints I decided to move to the big city to find a job and a nice girlfriend.

I moved to Edmonton because I had a friend there and I soon got a job in my trade. At first it was exciting and I met a few new friends at work. We worked hard and drank every day. As time went on I found myself doing things a little differently. Every day after a few drinks with the boys after work I would end up picking up more beer. It seemed like the reasonable way to deal with the stress of not finding a girl yet and living in a new place. Eventually I found an easier was to relax was sipping whiskey and falling asleep to movies in my easy chair. Alcohol and the TV became my most trusted friends. It wasn’t what I wanted but it would do until I found the right girl and job. Well, my friends started to notice I didn’t have as much energy at work and I seemed a little hung over often a work. I did not listen too much to their comments at first but when my boss complained about being late and hungover I decided it was time for action.

I was very strong and independent and thought I could quit alcohol easily. Well, I lasted two weeks until my friend’s birthday. We went to the bar on Friday after work on Whyte Avenue after got partying. Once I had slammed back a few shooters with the boys I felt strong and confident again. I got a few girls phone numbers but I blew it when I got too drunk and almost got in a fight with the bartender when he cut me off. No one wanted anything to do with me again that night. Everyone thought I was a drunken buffoon. The next day was the beginning of my heavy drinking. I needed a drink to stop my anxiety and from that day on my drinking increased until my boss said I did not need to come to work anymore. My mind would not quit spinning and my stomach was full of stress every day. I could not stop drinking without suffering. I started to look like shit and I did not want to meet anyone. Eventually, my long time friend came over to check on me and convinced me  to get help. Even though I did not want to accept defeat I decided to shut him up by making the phone call. I was glad I did. That evening a man came over and picked me up and we went to a meeting. I was amazed to meet many others that had nearly the same experience as me. I found relief immediately. With their help I learned how to stop drinking and live a normal happy life again. I found a new job and made a lot of great friends that I still have today. I realized many others die and still suffer and how lucky I was to pick up the phone and call someone for some advice and help. I have saved myself a lot of misery and wasted life. So I have provided some numbers if you would like to make the call. The only shame is not treating your disease and discovering the joy in living life again.

AA Edmonton: 780 424 5900

AA Calgary: 403 777 1212

AA Fort McMurray: 780 743 0099

AA Red Deer: 780 347 8650

AA Grande Prairie: 780 532 1772

AADAC Alberta: 310 0000 780 538 6330 (toll free)

Official AA Website

Related Alberta Jobs:

  1. Labour Jobs Edmonton Alberta Next Level ConcreteNext Level Concrete, a leader in residential concrete finishing, located in Edmonton Alberta, and servicing  Sherwood Park, Stony Plain, St. Albert and Beaumont prides  itself on broom finish concrete, exposed aggregate concrete and stamped concrete jobs completed on time and on budget by master concrete finishers. Positions Available – Concrete...