Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Nov 12/01) - Paul Williams has seen first-hand the suffering of addicts and their families. Canon of the Holy Comforter Church in Rankin Inlet, Williams has been in the North since 1981.

Canon Paul Williams of the Holy Comforter Church in Rankin Inlet does what he can to help members of his congregation deal with problems associated with addictions. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

He spent six years in Taloyoak and five in Coral Harbour before moving to Rankin in 1992.

Williams has often helped members of his congregation deal with their addictions. He also provides comfort and guidance to family members suffering along with an addict they love.

Williams describes the pain felt by family members who love the afflicted person as "absolutely horrible."

Family members don't understand how a person they love can put their addiction in front of everything else in their lives. Williams says it's extremely painful to deal with the notion that your spouse or children love their addiction more than you.

"Many people believe if the addicted person loved them more, they'd stop what they're doing," says Williams.

"Some family members actually start believing it's their fault.

"They start believing there must be something wrong with them to cause their loved one to do this."

Addicts of any type rarely seek help until they hit rock bottom. Williams says the problem can be worsened by people pretending to seek help.

He says too many people only come to see him because they have a court date to keep.

"Those people only come to see me so it looks like they're trying to get help. So, some come to see me out of desperation, while others are simply just trying to make it look good.

"When it comes to family members, it's usually because they're tired of the way their spouse or children are acting."

Williams says alcohol abuse is by far the worst addiction in the North. In most cases, family members try to make the person realize how harmful their actions are to themselves and the people around them.

However, the addict usually has to reach the point of no return before admitting they need help.

"As long as any addict is able to continue for another day, they're not going to bother seeking help. It's like the poster of the cat at the end of the rope. They have to reach the point where there's nowhere else to go before they come for help.

"Our communities are becoming more pro-active in their approach to dealing with addictions, but we still have a long ways to go."