Josh Wardle was the recipient of a top honour from the Psalm 23 Transition Society at an awards and fundraising event in 100 Mile House on Nov. 30.
Wardle, 27, of Abbotsford is an alumnus of the Psalm 23 addiction recovery program.
Executive director Marvin Declare says the Courageous Starfish Award goes to someone who has made a positive change and given back. After graduating from the program close to three years ago, Wardle continued to work at the treatment centre, currently located at 59 Mile, as part of a “care team” and was a regular volunteer for different events.
Wardle was a heavy drug user until he committed to the program at the age of 24. This is when he was introduced to God and the 12 Steps program.
“I felt God was telling me to help give back. I felt drawn to help others.”
He talks about a family history of violence, dysfunction and addiction. Wardle says he started drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana at 12.
When he was 18, he was admitted to a psychiatric ward and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He continued to abuse heavier drugs until he was admitted to the psychiatric ward again six years later, after hearing about the death of his older sister.
“That's basically when I went off the deep end and hit bottom. The drugs and the medication and everything – it just wasn't mixing.”
Wardle called a number of rehab programs to check himself into one.
“I chose Marvin's place because he seemed to care. I was telling places I didn't have money. Marvin didn't really care [about not having money].
“He just asked me if I was willing, and I said I was. I wanted a change.”
Wardle says he didn't know what to expect from the program that eventually “filled a void” in his soul.
The first two months were overwhelming, he adds.
“It was a lot of happiness and emotional breakdowns, but in a good way. I was starting to feel again, a lot of honesty coming out of me. Before that, my life was filled with lies.”
Wardle lives in Abbotsford and is employed part time for a cabinet-making company. He says his life is now filled with work, meetings and fellowship.
When Declare talked to him about the Starfish Award, Wardle says he didn't quite understand at first. He thought Declare needed his help with the event, not that he was this year's recipient.
“I feel very grateful for it. It's not just for me, though. It's for the people who helped me become the person I am.”