Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Nov 15/99) - Rankin Inlet's Tommy Adams has a lot to be proud of these days, and a lot to be thankful for.

Adams regularly abused alcohol and soft drugs such as marijuana and hashish for about 30 years.

He found the inner strength two years ago to confront his addictions, but not before almost totally ruining his life.

"I was at rock- bottom," he states matter-of-factly.

"I finally reached the point where I was sick and tired of depression, shame and guilt."

Adams had continued through his substance abuse to run his own contracting business, but he readily admits his hard work was for mostly all the wrong reasons.

"I was working mainly to support my habit. Yes, I was managing to support my family, but I was always setting money aside to buy alcohol and drugs.

"It got to the point where I was a workaholic. I was working 10-12 hours a day, seven days a week. I had to make enough to support both my family and my addictions."

These days, Adams is a maintenance co-ordinator for the Government of Nunavut and a popular minor hockey coach.

His first step towards sobriety and a new beginning was to find the courage to ask a local addictions counsellor for help.

"I'd never asked for help before because I never trusted anyone enough to talk to them about my problems.

"Just opening up and hearing myself admit I had a problem took pressure off."

As Adams increased his counselling, his self-esteem grew and he started feeling a lot better about himself.

With the love and support of his family adding to his determination, he is now only a month away from two full years of sobriety.

Although he realizes he will never be "cured," Adams says he has a new outlook on life and looks forward to the challenge each new day brings.

"You wake up in the morning and thank God you're alive and well.

"I'm taking life one stage at a time now. My negative thoughts have really diminished and I have a much more positive outlook."

Adams says he hopes his success might inspire others with problems to seek help.

"I'd tell anyone struggling to be honest with themselves and take a good look at what they're doing.

"They have to examine their life to see the damage they're causing to themselves and their family.

"Most importantly, they have to have the courage to seek professional help."

Tommy Adams is a shining example that addictions can be overcome.

And, as he continues along his journey, his sobriety has taught him another valuable lesson.

"I'm sober now, with a positive outlook.

"I realize I have the ability to, mentally or physically, accomplish just about anything.

"It feels good to be able to believe in myself once again.