The Annex

12/01/2025

Spoke with a friend the other day who was unsure if they were making too much of a partners drug use. We are quite careful to not give relationship advice, but here are a few signs that your drug use may have gone from "recreational" to a real problem:

1. You have missed work or lost a job due to drug use.
2. You have had to move or lost your housing due to your drug use.
3. When your favorite drug is not available you use another.
4. You have stolen to pay for drugs, or you lie to family or friends about your drug use.
5. You regularly use drugs to change how you're feeling or to cope with life.
6. You have ever had a run in with the police while intoxicated.

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but when in doubt about how your drug use is going talk to someone, especially someone who is used to dealing with addiction. "Rock bottom" doesn't have to mean losing your family, your health, or your housing. We are on your side. 321 Talbot St. St Thomas, right beside the Grace Cafe. 226.896.0080 and 184 Davis St, Sarnia, phone 226.216.0863.

11/25/2025

Wow! What a drooly wet COLD, just a miserable day.. except at the Grace Cafe Sarnia where we CELEBRATED our first year of serving ..& goin’ STRONG may i say! GLORY! ❤️
Pix: a simulation of our Group this am but actually talked on my birthday! But it’s good since it features Staff & Volunteers & a Guest .. with an enormous Cake!! ❤️
We sang w assembled Guests “ Happy Birthday to us” & everyone ate cake! So it was nice! ✅
Other pix to follow of donations from 100 Scarves (wonderful) & from Community Law ( very kind) ! Pix tomorrow & THX! 😃
Now ONWARDS & back tomorrow as always & ONWARDS!❤️
Do continue praying for our Canada 🇨🇦 & for serious world situations! ❤️‍🩹

11/24/2025

"Rehab is for quitters." Why do so many who are heavily addicted die in or of their addictions? Why don't more people get sober? There are numerous reasons, from the reality of physical dependency to the fact that many care providers have decided to focus on reducing immediate harm.
Quitting, or attempting to quit, represents a huge loss in someones life. It may seem strange to those who have not battled addiction, but quitting means a loss of identity, a loss of control, even a loss of hope that life can be made good. Recovery means learning a new way of living, a new life, but for most that feels like failure. At the Annex we love quitters. It's time to give up what you have for something better. We are on your side. 321 Talbot St. St Thomas, right beside the Grace Cafe. 226.896.0080 and 184 Davis St, Sarnia, phone 226.216.0863.

11/20/2025

The Grace Café is a CRA registered charity operating a soup kitchen, providing free meals 7:00 to 11 am, Monday through Saturday. There are many in St Thomas who are suffering from food insecurity for many reasons, including poverty, homelessness, addiction, and mental illness, but all are welcomed. The Annex, an outreach of the Grace Cafe and right next door, is an addictions resource center that assists those with problematic drug use on their road to sobriety and recovery.

The Grace Café is fully supported by individuals and others who share our passion. We do not receive any government funding, nor are affiliated with any Christian denomination. We are reliant on an outstanding volunteer team for food prep and service, and on donations for food, utilities, rent, and other expenses. If you would like to partner with us, the easiest way to support this work is through Canada Helps at this link (https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/the-grace-cafe-of-st-thomas/), by mail or in person, 323 Talbot St, St Thomas, ON N5P 1B5.

11/18/2025

I was recently speaking with a friend who was expressing shock at the fact that while he was engaged in an expensive and self destructive but non-drug related habit his desire to use his drugs of choice dropped to next to nothing. He was surprised at the fact that these seemingly unrelated behaviors actually stimulate similar pathways and fed similar needs.
Addiction is unrelenting, unforgiving, patient, and creative. Addiction does not care by what method it destroys you, it just cares that it does. There are those that can use drugs "recreationally," but many of us cannot. You can't make a deal, bargain, or make friends with your addiction. We have mourned for far too many who have tried. We are on your side. 321 Talbot St. St Thomas, right beside the Grace Cafe. 226.896.0080 and 184 Davis St, Sarnia, phone 226.216.0863.

11/13/2025

Possible ear worm alert: Growing up there was a song in the Christmas special, "Santa Clause is Coming Town," called "Put One Foot in Front of the Other." The song is about how change starts with a single step, and then taking another.
The road of sobriety may appear to be a marathon, but a marathon isn't run 26 miles at a time. Some sections of a marathon are easier than others, but despite pacing and strategy the most important stride in a marathon is the next one, then the next after that. Don't panic over the seeming enormity of sobriety, just start with that first step. You don't have to chase sobriety for the rest of your life, just today. And if you've never heard it, Google "Put One Foot in Front of the Other." We are on your side. 321 Talbot St. St Thomas, right beside the Grace Cafe. 226.896.0080 and 184 Davis St, Sarnia, phone 226.216.0863.

11/11/2025

11/03/2025

If your drug use has become a problem, it is time to drop the mask. The mask that says, "I'm just partying,' or "I've got it under control." The mask that says, "I don't need anyone," or "That didn't hurt." Especially the mask that says, "I'm okay," when you're not.
Masks can serve a purpose, like limiting infection or preventing identification. The masks related to addiction often cover the roots of trauma and try to eliminate any current or future trauma. You may be surprised, but there are those who will like that person you're hiding. Give us, yourself, and sobriety a chance. We are on your side. 321 Talbot St. St Thomas, right beside the Grace Cafe. 226.896.0080 and 184 Davis St, Sarnia, phone 226.216.0863.