Hope lifeline rescues addict

HOPE. Chandra Brown sits with her hope-giver, Kim Doughty, before telling her story of overcoming addiction to members of the community services committee for the District of Muskoka. Jennifer Bowman

The 24-year-old described herself before moving to Muskoka in June 2012 as “sick in every way possible.”

MUSKOKA/NORTH BAY - Chandra Brown’s voice caught as she spoke about the last day she used drugs just over six months ago.
The 24-year-old described herself before moving to Muskoka in June 2012 as “sick in every way possible.” Her depression was at its lowest since she’d been diagnosed 10 years before. She had been living in a “very unstable environment,” felt like a burden to the earth, and she was on a medical leave of absence.
“Physically, I avoided looking at myself at all costs. I was clinically obese with several unaddressed health problems. All I cared about was my next high and it didn’t matter who I hurt to get it,” she said.
While completing a successful nine-day medical detox and a 21-day residential women’s program in Toronto, Brown was kicked out of her home in North Bay, then moved in with her grandmother in Dwight.
Within days she relapsed.
“I was out of money, extremely depressed and paranoid. I was asked to contribute to her (grandmother’s) household and my unemployment had run out from where I had worked, at Sobey’s up north. I drove through Huntsville with no idea where to go and I came to the unemployment office,” she said.
There she met Kim Doughty, who works with the District of Muskoka helping young adults from the ages of 16 to 30 who are facing significant barriers to employment.
“She was in a very different place than she is today,” Doughty said of the Brown’s arrival at the office.
Doughty offered Brown a lifeline – hope. She helped her with her basic needs, listened as she broke down, and offered to respond to Brown by email, text or in person when she needed help.
“I felt a bit of hope for the first time in a very long time,” Brown said.
Rick Williams, commissioner of community services for the District of Muskoka, said he was moved by Brown’s speech and is glad the district is able to provide support for those in her situation.
“I see our role as giving people hope and opportunity,” he said.
Hope wasn’t enough to immediately override Brown’s past; she needed opportunity.
“Less than a month after completing treatment, I was caught for stealing drugs from a family member. I was beyond ashamed of myself and horrified that I’d finally been caught. It was the first of three strikes,” she said.
Despite her constant relapses, Brown thought she had been cured. It was with hesitation that she accepted admittance to Homewood Health Centre, a place that offers a variety of treatment including addictions programs.
“August 11, 2012 was the last day I used any mood or mind-altering substance, including alcohol,” she said.
She successfully completed a 35-day residential program, and then moved back to Dwight where she continued attending counselling and doing recovery work.
“I was not going to let the fact that I live in Dwight or the winter weather stop me. My odometer is a proud reminder of the 1,000 kilometres per week on average I travel for recovery,” she said.
She received gas money for medical transportation and counselling appointments from the district after proving she was willing to work hard.
She has since gone back to school to complete her final three credits, finishing two of them at the top of her class with marks of 85 per cent and 94 per cent. She also received a free laptop through the Renewed Computer Technology program the district is part of.
She is now volunteering to pay her dues to society.
“I volunteer as much as possible because I feel a great need to give back to this community,” she said.
She’s worked with horses and kids’ camps at trail-riding businesses, at a local gluten-free business, and catering an event with a chef at a youth advisory meeting.
“In the past seven and a half months, I have found myself again. I love life. I lost 48 pounds and counting, while gaining muscle,” she said.
Brown shared her story with the Community Services Committee at the district, thanking them for what the district has done to help her overcome her struggles.
Williams commended her presentation and bravery.
“She shared some challenges in her life that you have to be very brave to do, but I think that she seems quite committed. For some people publicly disclosing to your family and friends and others is a big part of the drive to wellness,” Williams said.
Life isn’t a smooth ride yet for Brown, but she said she no longer has fear or regret and is proud of the choices she is making.
“I have days that are spectacular, days that are difficult, and days that are in between,” she said. “The most significant thing is that I feel everything each day.”

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