An Unexpected Second Chance at Life
In recent years, Andrew has battled substance use and experienced several unsuccessful recovery attempts. He was living in Vancouver, working in restaurant kitchens, an environment that he admits was not the best for him.
“I was partying all the time, getting drunk and doing drugs,” he shares. “There were a couple of nights that I didn’t even remember closing the restaurant.”
Despite interventions and attempts at rehabilitation, the cycle continued, eventually leading him to homelessness. Andrew later moved to Victoria, where an accident changed the course of his life.
He suffered a severe leg fracture after hitting rough terrain on a skateboard. While he was in a lot of pain, he found an unexpected sense of comfort in the hospital.
“I had a bed, a roof over my head and was fed three meals a day. I was no longer ‘homeless’. I remember looking out my window on a rainy day, with my leg in a brace, thinking ‘It’s so much better in here than it is out there’,” Andrew shares.
Searching for a Way Out
During his hospital stay, Andrew decided to get clean for good. A support worker introduced him to The Salvation Army’s Victoria Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre (ARC). Less than a month later, he walked through its doors, feeling anxious yet determined.
“It felt a bit daunting—new environment, new rules, new everything. But underneath all that, I was mostly laser‑focused on one thing: I had my own room. After the chaos I’d been living in, having a door I could close felt like luxury,” he recalls.
Andrew’s transformation began immediately at ARC. Attending Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings had a big impact on his journey to sobriety. In addition, he was connected to resources that helped him access housing and educational opportunities.
“ARC played a huge role in referring me to the things that made recovery sustainable,” Andrew says. “The support here has been huge. The staff really showed up for me in different ways.”
Building New Life
Today, Andrew continues to navigate the steps of renewal and says he is in a much better place, both physically and mentally. He now wakes up each day with a sense of purpose and stays active.
Andrew hopes to secure a permanent home for himself and his cat. He also wants to make a difference in the future.
“In the short term, my goals are simple but important: keep going to meetings, finish my steps and eventually take on a sponsee of my own. Giving back is a big part of my recovery and I’m looking forward to being able to support someone the way others have been there for me,” he shares.
“I want to do social work, specifically helping people who struggle with mental health and addiction.”
Looking back, Andrew believes his accident was a blessing in disguise, as it led him to connect with The Salvation Army.
“ARC didn’t just give me structure; it gave me direction. It connected me to housing, other resources, community and a sense of purpose I hadn’t felt in years. Without it, I know exactly where I’d be: on the streets, caught in the same cat‑and‑mouse game with my addiction and I wouldn’t have lasted long. I’m not exaggerating when I say I would’ve been dead months ago.”
Next Steps
While Andrew doesn’t want to forget the past, he is focused on healing and using his experiences to build a stronger future.
He is grateful for the support he received at The Salvation Army and for the friendships he made along the way.
By Juan Romero
