MEL GREW UP in a household in London where social drinking among extended family was frequent. It was part of life and he joined in at an early age with his brothers. Soon he began drinking at high school dances and with friends on a regular basis.

It didn’t take long to get into trouble and he became well known by the police. He attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, but ended up socializing and drinking afterwards with other attendees.

“Rock bottom is different for everyone,” says Mel. He remembers when he reached his. His mother was in hospital dying from cancer. He was on his way to visit her when he became sidetracked, went drinking with a friend and forgot about the hospital. The next day she passed away and Mel was devastated.

“I was drinking when I decided to stop for good. That was my last. I went to the Men’s Mission to stay, but they couldn’t accept me because of my state. So I went to the Salvation Army for a few nights and then I stayed with family members who helped me stay out of trouble.” Mel met with a counsellor at Addiction Services Thames Valley and asked to be enrolled in the 28-day program in St. Thomas.

Near the end of the program, Mel knew he was far from done. He asked his after-care worker about getting more help. He stayed at the Men’s Mission in London for a few weeks until a spot became available at Quintin Warner House residential addiction treatment program, a branch of Mission Services of London.

“Phase one of the program was tough for me. I wanted to leave, but the guys in my group said I needed to stay. In phase two, I gave it 100%.”

In group sessions, Mel talked about his guilt over not seeing his mother before she died. Participants suggested he write her a letter. He did, but they said it wasn’t good enough. He tried again, a little harder this time, and brought the letter to her grave site, after which he felt a burden had lifted.

Mel graduated from the Quintin Warner House program in fall 1990 with family by his side including his dad
who remarked how proud he was of Mel’s accomplishment. “He had me crying,” said Mel.

Since then, Mel returns to Quintin Warner House every Thursday afternoon to support men in the program by playing games and talking about his experience to encourage them. This is appreciated by residents and staff. Mel wants to help others because he hasn’t forgotten those who helped him and how his life has changed for the better.  “When you know something’s wrong, you do something about it and then you can take pride in that.”