Support found in groups From page 20 skid-row drunk,” Cassady said. Seaview counsellors con- sequently visit clients in their own homes or other appro- priate settings and make con- fidentiality a top priority. “Pm not interested in someone saying they're an alcoholic, but saying this is a problem in my life and I need help.” Cassady says support groups are effective because they allow people to make connections with one anoth- er. A couple of weeks ago she walked by Starbucks and saw two of her clients, who have become friends through AA meetings, drinking coffee. James has also made friends through AA, who he calls his extended family. He has found support in AA all over the world and says he’s “never been to a bad meeting. I can go any- where in the world and I’m treated like family.” He compares AA to the routine of an athlete. To be a successful athlete you must practice and just as this requires body conditioning, remaining sober requires mental conditioning and practice. north shore news “if you don’t stay in con- dition you're going to xet hurt,” he says. “If you don’t go to the Meetings you're going to fall apart again.” James says that if a recov- ering alcoholic hasn't already lost everything and slips up and has a drink, he will. He compares alcoholism to can- cer or heart disease saying it’s terminal and if vou don’t seck help it will eventually Kill you. James, who is almost 70 and has been sober for 10 “T had blood on my face and I hadn’t shaved. I looked at myself in the mirror and thought I was dead.” years, used to make work- related trips to Whistler, with a bottle under the front seat of his truck. He became a regular at bars iz: Squamish and Pemberton because he would stop for a lunch of tomato juice and beer on his way to work. The fast time he got drunk he was in one of the bars and he got into a fight. After stumbling out of the bar and finding his way to a friend’s house he passed out. When he woke up he ez tes 10 Fre HEALTH couldn't remember anything. “Thad bload on my face and Phadn’t shaved. looked at myself in the mirror and thought T was dead.” Seeing himself that way brought him to the realiza- tion that he needed help, so he turned to AA. “[ gor sick and tired of being sick and tired,” he said. He had to get rid of the discase that was hurting him and everyone around him. One alcoholic affects 16 lives severely, | whether through work, at home or at leisure. He laughs and cracks jokes as he tells his story. He says people talk about him saying, “That guy’s got to be drunk, he’s always so happy.” He says he owes his happi- ness to AA, “AA is the only organiza- tion to help alcoholics in che 20th Century, ever really,” Karin, a member of AA in Vancouver for 10 years, said. She stopped — drinking when she was 59, 16 months after she found out she had cirrhosis of the liver. She stopped drinking on her own, but found it diffi- cult. “I stayed dry, but | was miserable,” she said. She heard about AA from a friend and when she started attending meetings it wasn’t difficult to stay sober any- more. She said AA is very avail- able, with close to 600 mect- ings a week in the Lower Mainland in nursing homes, Ee May 16 4 Try Exotic Asparagus Suice’ OBE. Regular or Tangerine Unbleached Whole Wheat 355mi o” Bread flour $G°s Shredded Wheat 4 Spoon Size or 100% Bran EOP SEL community centres and churches. Alcohol is no longer a problem for James, Doreen Sunday, May 9, 1999 - North Shore News — 21 or Karin, and the thousands of others who have found reason to laugh again: after uetting help. We’d love to give you O% off But that would mean that our Everyday fair prices were over inflated to begin with!! Visit Suite Dreams Furniture and find the high quality, excellent pricing and large selection you’re looking for at Honest - Down to Earth prices!! New location of Al & Shannon & the Dancing Dogs oa Suite Dreams Furniture Inc. 1989 Boundary Rd. 320-2577 The goodwill of those we serve is the foundation of our business!! Organic Beef After the Fai |Crganic Apple SPE RACER NATE OEE ‘TOrganic Honeydew | | Osteoporosis| Testing NORTH SHORE | BONE DENSITY State of the art bone density measurement 7 done in our office. Our dexa machine is the lat- est technology. The process is painless and quick and the results are graphically present- ed in colour and explained. $140. without referzal. $ with Dr. referral j Heel Ultrasound Clinic jf May 26 Special $30 921-2624 Cali or stop in for a complimentary Osteoporosis Risk Assessnient. Only thru May 30th Dr, Myron [MacDonald MD. “#104-2419 Bellevue Ave, § B West Vancouver, B.C. V7V 4T4 8 PETES TT EE Spring Salad