This is the place where addiction recovery begins

A person could turn to substances for any number of reasons. In Simon Cashman’s case, it was an inability to cope with the many changes and stressors in his life. 

“A lot of things have driven me to use – people passing away that I’ve cared about. Wanting answers that I can’t get. I was always [asking] ‘why, why, why?’” 

Simon started using crystal meth around 10 years ago. While there were many small decisions along the way that contributed to his addiction, he acknowledges that self-understanding and accountability are at the core of recovery. 

“It was a life choice for sure. There were some things I believe that had driven me to that direction and myself, I chose to stay in that direction. Instead of looking at my life, I was looking at everyone else’s. When things would trigger me, instead of dealing with it properly, I would just use.” 

Over the years, his addiction impacted his health, his family, and his job. His habit started with small amounts of crystal meth, but he was eventually using over seven times that. He’s been to the Detoxification Centre about six times over the past 10 years.  

“I was broken. It was either get my life back together or die.” 

So, he made the choice to try one more time. 

“I pulled myself together and got myself in here, and it was one of the best things I could ever do. It was like the weight was off my shoulders for a little bit.” 

For Simon, the KHSC’s Detoxification Centre, or Detox, provided the support and structure he needed to get started on recovery. 

“If it wasn’t for the staff, I don’t know where I would be. They are phenomenal. They support us mentally; they support us physically. And they do whatever they can do to make us comfortable and feel like a human again. And know that we are loved and cared [for].” 

“The people are so kind. I’ve been broken, and they’ve come up and given me a hug, and that hug has been with me for years. Just because of that feeling - ‘I am still a person. I’m not gone’. It makes you realize you want your life back.” 

Detox, located at 240 Brock Street, offers short-stay services for individuals with addictions. Clients have access to mentorship and informal counselling, group sessions and medical support. To Simon, Detox provides the foothold many people with addiction need to start their recovery journey. 

“This is where it starts. This literally is where it starts, I have seen so many people come in here broken and come out and actually become very successful because of the knowledge, techniques and learning a routine, and it works. This place works.” 

Reflecting on his journey of recovery, he says everything comes back to compassion. 

“Whether we’ve made mistakes or not, we do have a heart and a soul and we do want a normal life. We’re not here to look like a creature, because that’s how people talk. You won’t understand unless you sit beside [a person with an addiction] and have a talk and realize that person, is a good person.” 

Upon leaving Detox, Simon feels optimistic. He’s ready to engage with his support network and continue on with his journey. 

“I feel amazing. I feel awesome. Yeah, sure there’s some things in the back of my head that I regret but, as of now, I feel good. I’ve got a long road ahead of me...it ‘aint over...but as of today, I feel very happy, very proud of myself.”