One morning in August 2005 my husband woke me and changed my world forever. The life I had known disappeared when he told me "I'm an alcoholic and I'm in trouble at work". Over the next 15 months I watched as the man I thought I knew turned into someone else. I was supportive and did whatever I could to help him and finally I realized that I could not make him stop drinking. I also realized that there was a lack of support for people like Mark.

Imagine that your bright and beautiful 12 year-old daughter has just started junior high. She plays sports, does well in school and has a busy social life. She’s not immature, but overly mature (12 going on 16). Life is rolling on and things are as they should be.

Then during her grade seven year you notice – gradually over time – that she’s not talking with friends as much, she’s staying home more and more, her sleeping patterns are a bit off, and you’re not seeing nearly enough of that beautiful smile.