Lalisha Simmons almost missed her own college graduation because she was too drunk to get up on the morning of the big day.She got a job and started a charity and continued to drink.It got where she had to have a drink every morning just to cope. The addiction treatment charity Caron Bermuda helped her get her life back on track.Ms Simmons was one of eight people who received awards from Caron Bermuda this week.She received the Alumni Award for helping others cope with addiction.“I started to drink when I was about 14, buckle your seat belt mama,” she told those at the presentation at Fairmont Hamilton Princess. “Something about that first drink took me. It held me hostage for a long time. I was an outgoing kid and I turned into a scared, confused woman. Things started to spiral out of control. Everything revolved around alcohol.”She had no coping skills and didn’t know when to laugh and when to cry. For a while she covered up her problem, but eventually “the beast” started to come out.“Today I am here sober,” she said. “It has been a year and a few months. I am ever so grateful to Caron. I couldn’t afford to go into treatment without their help. Insurance wouldn’t pay for it. Donations paid for it. Now, I just like to give back by helping other people in my addiction treatment group to stay sober. I continue to go because when I went someone was there for me, and I want to be there for someone else who needs help.”Gita Blakeney Saltus called Ms Simmons “a deep thinker and a quiet spirit” who was happy to share her understanding of the disease of addiction with others.“Today, Lalisha is truly living a principled life,” said Ms Saltus, Caron’s regional vice president. “I find that each day I develop more of an appreciation and understanding of the depth and scope of the disease and its impact on the entire family unit.”Social worker Don Vickers received the Caron Assan Addiction Professional Award for his work keeping young people off the streets. A social worker and family assessment professional at Bermuda Youth Counselling Services, he also runs a football team for young men and has organised a youth programme called the Titans Foundation for at-risk children ages five to 12.“One of our sponsors asked me to come and talk to their group about where their money was going,” said Mr Vickers. “They asked me to bring along some of the children I worked with, so I bought along a nine-year-old and a seven-year-old. After I spoke, they asked the two boys if they would speak. The nine-year-old declined, but the seven-year-old stood up and said, ‘this programme has saved my life’.“I nearly cried. I had been getting tired because the programme takes up so much of my free time. That really inspired me to go on.”Orville Nesbitt received the Unsung Hero Award for his work offering counselling and support to people battling addiction. Ms Saltus said one of the people who nominated him called him “an angel”.“I had a long struggle with addiction,” said Mr Nesbitt. “I started smoking marijuana when I was 15 years old. Then I graduated to crack cocaine. It really took my life right down where it was out of control. I couldn’t pay bills. I couldn’t look after my daughter. It seemed like everything around me was shutting down. I built my own prison; I didn’t have to go to jail. It is so amazing how God put beacons of light in my darkest moments when I couldn’t see the way out.”Mr Nesbitt said he was very nervous as receiving an award for anything was “kind of different” for him.“I left school and all I got was a note to say I couldn’t come back,” said Mr Nesbitt. “Being here today to get an award is awesome. I am truly grateful. Ever since I have been in recovery, since the year 2000, I give back in any way that I can.”Other award winners were Cecile Harris-Goodman who developed Bermuda Professional Counselling Services, the Bank of Bermuda Foundation for showing community leadership, Pride Bermuda for educational excellence, Canon James Francis, Sr for spirituality. Air Care Ltd received the Human Services Award.For more information see www.caronbermuda.org or telephone 236-0823.