“We’re all working hard, I’d like people to know” – Rethinking Drinking panelist shares story

People First Radio

"We're all working hard, I'd like people to know" - Rethinking Drinking panelist shares story

00:00 / 00:34:54

Writer Jordan Kawchuk is preparing to speak as a lived experience speaker at a Nanaimo Foundation event called Rethinking Drinking.

“My lived experience is that I’ve been to treatment many times and I wrestle with alcohol use disorder,” he said.

“I hope to that the community can see that alcohol use disorder is a disease. It’s not a matter of being a lush, it’s not weak morals on my part or that I am greedy or dumb. It’s a mental health, disease of the mind, body and spirit, and I love that I’m gonna be on the panel with doctors to explain the more medical side of it.”

Kawchuk spoke with People First Radio about some of his experiences with alcohol, and the message he’s hoping to share with the community at the event.

“ What I hope to project is that alcoholism and alcohol use disorder does not discriminate. It can affect anybody.”

Kawchuk says it doesn’t seem to run much in his family, aside from a few uncles he is learning about.

“ The career paths I took in music and television where there was a lot of booze, I think it was the perfect storm. And I’ve wrestled with it for about three decades now.”

Kawchuk says the experience is different for everyone.

“ I don’t wake up in the morning thinking today I’m gonna drink and burn my life down,” he said. “ I wouldn’t want to wish this journey on anybody, but I’m glad I have it ’cause now I can speak about it.”

Listen to the full interview to hear about Kawchuk’s experiences entering treatment and detox, and the role compassion in the healthcare system has played in his journey.