In January 2026, I was feeling optimistic about my job as a night shift worker for a North American company. I was in my early 30s, had a decent salary for someone without a college degree, and was on a path towards sobriety from alcohol and nicotine. I was even moving into an apartment, which was a big step for me given the high cost of living in my area. But then, in March, everything changed. I was laid off along with 24 others, despite my boss's earlier reassurances about our performance. I felt angry and ashamed, especially when I had to explain it to friends and family. I tried to cope with the disappointment by hitting the bottle hard again. After a few months on Employment Insurance (E.I.), I found a lower-paying job in town in May 2026. I was actively looking for something better and thought I had landed it when I interviewed for a position an hour and a half away. I signed the paperwork to start on July 1st, but I made the mistake of mentioning my new job to a coworker. Word got back to the owner, and I was fired over the phone. I was frustrated but relieved to be out of that job. However, shortly after, I received an email saying the job offer had been withdrawn due to a criminal background check related to a driving charge from 2023. Since then, I’ve been applying to numerous jobs but have faced setbacks. I finally landed another position in August, but it was a shift job that paid $6 less than my previous role. I was overwhelmed with responsibilities and felt like my hard work wasn’t appreciated. Today, I was fired again, with the feedback that I was an idiot in the nicest way possible. I regret not keeping my mouth shut about overtime, but honestly, I felt relieved to be let go from those exhausting shifts. Now, I'm struggling with substance abuse again and feeling defeated. My support system tells me to keep trying, but I’m exhausted and frustrated. I worked hard for my last job and saw a small pay increase, but now I feel like I'm back at square one. Just wanted to vent about this tough situation.