Chris Davey

Growing up, I was always a kid who felt uncomfortable in my own skin. I was born into a family of highly intelligent academics. My dad had a Ph.D from Cambridge University, my Mom had a Masters degree in science as well as my two younger sisters. I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was about 8 years old. Consequently, I did not do well in school, and I saw myself as a failure.

When I had my first drink, I was 14 years old. It took me to this wonderful place where I was not a failure. I chased this feeling into my 30s. I started experiencing negative consequences such as blackouts, broken relationships with family and friends by the time I was 18. In spite of my problems I kept on drinking and ultimately, I lived on skid rows all over Canada

When I came into treatment at the Salvation Army in 1994, I came to the end of myself and I asked God to remove the mental obsession I had over alcohol and the physical craving. God honoured that prayer, and I have been sober since September 14, 1994. That was the date where everything changed. After surrendering my life to God, I met my first love Jane in a Bible study the second night I was in treatment. We were married and had a wonderful life together. My life has not been perfect as I have endured two rounds of cancer in 2000 and 2004. I also lost Jane in 2010 and my sister Megan to this dreaded disease. But in spite of these valleys, my sobriety has remained intact. The greatest blessing of my recovery is that I am now employed at the same treatment centre that saved my life!