Stigma Spring 2016

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A Voice For The Voiceless.

tigma

POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH

SÉAN McCANN

GREAT BIG RECOVERY

INVISIBLY DISABLED AT WORK STIGMA MAGAZINE | 1

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Spring 2016 Stigma Magazine is one of Canada’s premier magazines addressing the needs of the 1 in 5 people who experience a mental illness or substance use problem in their lifetime. Stigma presents informative, and inspiring articles that show readers not just how to deal with their mental health and addiction, but how to enjoy a healthy life style.

Publisher: Luke de Leseleuc Creative Director: Julia Breese Contact: info@stigmamagazine.com www.stigmamagazine.com 250.508.8562 Published by:

CONTENTS

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5 7 9 13 17 21 23 27 29 31 33 37

From the Editor ....................................................

From the Assistant Editor......................................

Andrew’s Corner: The Heart of a Lioness...............

Séan McCann: Great Big Recovery......................

A Campus Call to Action....................................

Being a Ghost: Invisibly Disabled at Work.........

Post-Traumatic Growth....................................

Does Forced Drug Treatment Actually Work?..............................................

The Value of Innocence .................................

A Place Where Your Secrets See Light................

The Story of Kinghaven Peardonville House Society..............................

Helping Youth with Substance Use Issues.........

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 3

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FROM THE

PUBLISHER

S

PRING: A TIME OF NEW BEGINNINGS and looking

readers. From day one, our mission has been to produce

forward. If I’ve learned anything from publishing

a magazine that is relevant to, and reflective of, the ad-

Stigma, it’s how welcoming and supporting the re-

dictions and mental health communities. From all indi-

covery community is. Nearly everyone is willing and excit-

cations, we are meeting our objective. Your feedback has

ed to share their story, and wants to support other people

been extremely positive and we thank you for your kind

in recovery however and whenever possible.

words and continued support. In this issue, our featured

So that being said, I would like to announce that Stig-

article on Sean McCann, one of the founding members

ma Magazine is now part of the BeYouPromise.org family,

of Great Big Sea, talks about his recovery and how it has

a charitable non-profit organization whose mission is to

changed the direction of his life. We also talk about men-

educate Canadians on the benefits of moderation or re-

tal health in the workplace and some of †he challenges

straint in the use of alcohol and/or drugs. So what does

that employers and employees face. We’re sure you’ll find

this mean moving forward? Well, I will still be the publish-

the articles informative.

er of Stigma and we will continue being a “voice for the

By supporting people in the recovery community, and

voiceless.”Being part of the BeYouPromise.org family will

recognizing our own susceptibility, we can continue to

bring stability, and with that stability comes much-need-

grow a larger and stronger recovery community. We in-

ed help in putting the magazine together.

vite you to write or e-mail us with your thoughts. We look

I’d like to thank everyone who has supported the magazine from the very beginning and would also like to take this opportunity to welcome any of you who may be new

forward to hearing from you. Luke de Leseleuc

Luke de Leseleuc STIGMA MAGAZINE | 5

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From the Assistant Editor

I

’VE BEEN THINKING A LOT ABOUT the term “resil-

do something about their drinking. It’s what gets them up

ience” lately. It cropped up in Cassie Hooker’s piece on

off the ground and helps them say, “I’m going to try again,”

post-traumatic growth that appears in this issue, and

when they have stumbled for the second, 20th, or 50th time.

since then I feel like I have been reading it in a lot of stories

It’s what helped them to survive the horrific trauma that,

and essays about addiction and recovery.

for some, led them down the path to addiction in the first

As Cassie writes in her piece, the idea is that, when a per-

place. And, if complete sobriety isn’t what your recovery

son overcomes their addiction or mental-health struggle,

looks like, it’s the inner strength, or the time spent con-

they emerge with something other than a path to recov-

fronting issues in your life, that allows you to stop after that

ery: they’ve also grown as a person and gained invaluable

second beer or live in the healthiest, happiest way possible.

knowledge as a result of their suffering. It’s similar to the

So, wherever you are in your journey to recovery, whether

old “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” adage (al-

it’s merely an inkling in the back of your mind or when you

though I do loathe the violent, confrontational language

pick up your 25-year chip at your next AA meeting, I ac-

we often use when talking about dealing with addiction,

knowledge your resilience. We all have a lot to teach each

mental-health issues or chronic illnesses, but that’s a whole

other.

other column).

On another note, this will be my last dispatch on these

While I appreciate this sentiment and think it’s powerful

pages for a little while as I take time off to care for my new

to acknowledge that reaching a significant milestone like

child. While I’ve often said this is very much Luke’s labour

recovery provides one with valuable skills that can serve us

of love, it’s been an honour hearing how grateful the com-

for the rest of our lives, we need to recognize that resilience

munity is to read the stories on these pages, and to see the

is something that is present in people throughout their

regular writers grow and blossom as they bring you said

journey, not just something that materializes at the end.

stories. All the best to our readers in 2016.

Resilience is what helps someone decide that they want to

Amanda Farrell-Low STIGMA MAGAZINE | 7

Bright Future A full day conference on mental illness, addictions, and recovery.

AUGUST 19, 2016 TELUS House, 25 York St Toronto, ON

Register today:

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8 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

Andrew’s Corner

THE HEART OF A LIONESS

By Cassie Hooker

A

S PARENTS, WE TEACH OUR CHILDREN the val-

penguins, and her favourite colours were purple and blue.

ue of giving, and doing things for others. We try

She was a girl in love with life, who shared her kind heart

to instill in them a healthy respect for life, and the

with others whenever she could.

desire to do good things for their fellow man. When we send them out into the world, armed with years of being taught by example, it is with the hope that they will use the lessons we give them. Most grow into beautiful human beings; every so often, though, a child takes what is given them, and goes a step or two further with it.

ALEXANDRA SCOTT WAS SUCH A CHILD.

SHE WAS A CHILD WHO ALSO BATTLED CANCER. Not long before her first birthday, Alex was diagnosed with neuroblastoma- a type of cancer that most commonly affects children less than 5 years old. Her doctors told her family that, assuming she

Born on January 18th, 1996, Alex was one of four chil-

managed to beat her cancer,

dren. She loved school, and wanted to be a fashion de-

it was quite unlikely that she

signer when she grew up. Her favourite animals were

would ever learn to walk. As

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 9

a testament to her courage and inspiring nature, however,

Lemonade Stand Foundation was born, and it’s purpose

she was able to move one of her legs not two weeks af-

was clear: it was a foundation committed to not only rais-

ter receiving this troubling verdict. By the time her second

ing funds in order to further research in the field of child-

birthday rolled around, she had learned how to crawl, and

hood cancers, but also to making new treatments accessi-

could stand with the help of leg braces. She called on all

ble to those in need and improving the quality of patient

her willpower to build up her strength so that she could

through targeted nursing training programs.

learn to walk.

Through its diverse means of fund-raising, including the simple lemonade stand by which it was all started, Alex’s

FROM THE START, ALEX WAS A GIRL ON A MISSION. By age 3, it appeared that she had beaten the odds. It seemed like her cancer was gone, giving her family a false hope, until the devastating discovery that her tumours had come back. In 2000, just a day after her birthday, Alex had a stem cell transplant. It was then that she told her mom of her intention to hold a lemonade stand when she got out of the hospital; she was going to raise money for the hospital that she had come to consider “hers”. With the help of one of her brothers later that same year, Alex raised $2000 with her very first stand.

While battling her own cancer, Alex held lemonade stands each year after that, raising funds in support of childhood cancer research. It wasn’t long before word of this amazing little girl began to spread, and people all over the world began to hold their own lemonade stands, in support of Alex and her cause. It was an intention to do good, that grew- like wildfire- into a movement.

In August 2004, at age 8, Alexandra Scott passed away.

She passed, with the knowledge that sheand all those who rallied behind herhad raised more than 1 million dollars to help find a cure for the disease that had eventually claimed her.

With the support of a fan base that ranged around the world, in honour of their courageous little girl, the Scott family continued the legacy that Alex had begun. In 2005, Alex’s

10 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

Lemonade Stand Foundation literally raises funds one cup at a time- allowing people from all walks of life to be a part of the change they want to see in the world. It is the collective belief of the foundation that everyone- even childrencan make a difference. True to the intention of the little girl who inspired it- with the money it’s raised- Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has pushed forth innovations in the field of childhood cancer, forever changing the landscape of pediatric oncology.

To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has raised over 100 million dollars, providing critical funding for over 500 research projects, with the goal of ending childhood cancer.

It is true that we, as parents, push our children into the great big world with lumps in our throats, and the firm hope that they use the lessons we spend years in teaching them. It is safe to say that, in her 8 short years, Alex took what she was taught, and used it to make a true difference in the world.

To learn how you can help raise funds to support childhood cancer research,

visit: www.alexslemonade.org

wecanhelp@umbrellasociety.ca umbrellasociety.ca

We’ve been th e

re. We can help

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 11

.

SÉAN McCANN

GREAT BIG RECOVERY

By Luke de Leseleuc

S

ÉAN McCANN HAS OVERCOME HIS SHARE of

LDL: What were some of the biggest challenges you were

demons over the years. On November 14th, 2013,

facing during the beginning of your recovery?

the founding member of Great Big Sea decided

to leave the acclaimed Canadian band and start a new

SM: That’s a good question. The first thing I experienced

chapter of his life. Now he shares his story with others

was isolation. I had a lot of friends. I was a pretty popular

who may be battling their own demons, and spreads the

guy! But your drinking buddies are your drinking buddies.

message that, “We are not alone and that no ever has to

When the liquor disappeared, they scattered and they

feel alone.”

weren’t there. I was alone. Suddenly I had this real sense of isolation, which added to the problem. So I started re-

LDL: Music has obviously been a big part of your life. What

cording these songs in my studio that I had in my head

part has music played in your recovery?

and started to learn how to do things on my own. I started putting my energy into recording.

SM: It was the key to my recovery. When I quit drinking

Then I started putting these songs out there and the

and using I was faced with the pain and my anes-

reaction to [my album] Help Your Self was huge. People

thetic was removed. My memories and the pain of

would listen to a song and they would immediately reach

my abuse when I was a kid started coming back

out to me on Twitter, email or my website and tell me,

and now I didn’t have anything to help me deal

“You know that song is about me,” or “that song is about

with it. But with my guitar, I was able to look at

my mother, or my brother.” So I suddenly realized that I

it and start dealing with it. I was able to pick up

wasn’t alone. That made all of the difference. I’m really

my guitar and start using words and music to

glad I put that record out. It was a very personal record.

take away the pain without using. It became

When people reached out to me, I realized I wasn’t alone

what I needed to get through it, my go-to

anymore. That was something I needed to hear. Their re-

every day. I’ve worked with music therapists

action got me through the other side. I’m okay because

and I really believe that music is strong

I’m not alone. That’s the one thing I find consistently when

medicine. It can really soothe and take

people come up and talk to me. They thought they were

pain away better than a needle or a bottle

alone. When people hear me say it, they come to realize

of rum. It’s more effective, because it ac-

that, “Hey, he’s okay, he’s alive, he’s survived, it’s possible to

tually helps you deal with the problem.

be okay.” And it is, because we are not alone.

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 13

LDL: When you play your songs, and the people are re-

I remember Googling the term alcoholic because I sus-

lating to the stories of your songs, how much of an im-

pected I had a problem. Now when you suspect you have

pact has that made on you and how did it help you walk

a problem, you have a problem! So I Googled the term al-

through the fire?

coholic and said, “Oh, that’s what the problem is. Okay! I’ll just stop. I can fix this!” But it was harder than I thought. I

SM: I’m saying a lot more at these shows and at my pub-

couldn’t do it. It took a long time. But ultimately I was able

lic speaking engagements — more than I ever have in my

to do it. You know, I’m not a particularly strong person. But

career. It’s important. If I have any regrets, it’s that I wish I

if I can do it, other people can do it too. People are much

had said more earlier. But now I have more time to make

stronger than they think they are.

up for that. It’s not easy sharing your story. You know, you can’t be happy all of the time. I’ve learned that if you don’t

LDL: I read this biography on actor Spencer Tracy a few

allow for the darkness, you really don’t appreciate the

years ago and there was a line that has always stayed with

light. It’s the shadows that bring out the light. Learning to

me: “acting’s good until you get caught.” What does that

live with the dark is the key.

statement mean to you?

We all want to be happy, right? Every one of us experiences lows. It’s how we deal with the lows.

You can drink them temporarily

or you can actually deal with them and understand

them.

It wasn’t easy and that’s what I’m talking about. Walking through

the

fire

wasn’t easy. But you

“

EVERY ONE OF US EXPERIENCES LOWS. YOU CAN DRINK THEM AWAY TEMPORARILY OR YOU CAN DEAL WITH THEM AND UNDERSTAND THEM. WALKING THROUGH THE FIRE WASN’T EASY. BUT YOU BECOME STRONGER AS A RESULT OF WALKING THROUGH IT.

become stronger as a result of walking through it. My song

“

away

SM: My grandfather used to say, “It’s a great life if you don’t weaken,”

and

grandmother

my used

to say, “If you scaled your arse you got to learn how to sit on the blisters.” I know a lot of people who are still acting. It rings true to me because I was fooling myself. I was convincing myself that I

“Stronger” became my battlecry helping me get through

didn’t have a problem and that this didn’t happen. “I’m

it. Hopefully, what I’m doing now helps people. I believe

okay! I’m just going to have a drink.” You’re fooling yourself

that everyone is worthy of love and happiness. For me,

and you’re wasting your time. You’re dealing with nothing.

that’s the driver. Let’s make sure everyone knows that.

I think that’s what that means.

When I run into people I see it happen all the time. I see

LDL: During your journey of recovery, what has been one of

people and I’m like, “You’re acting. You’re fooling yourself.”

the biggest surprises that you’ve learned about yourself?

That’s why sincerity is important to me. I really don’t have a high threshold for that anymore. My tolerance for bullshit

SM: I’m tougher than I thought I was. You live in fear and

is gone. I can smell it and there are a lot of people who

fear comes from a lot of different places. Fear of failure is

talk and say nothing. I find that a waste of time. You know

a big thing. People don’t want to see themselves as fail-

that’s what I think Spencer Tracy is talking about. You’re

ures. I must have quit drinking a thousand times and that

fooling yourself, and that’s what you have to avoid. That’s

added to my depression, because I thought I was a failure.

the key. I think it’s so important. It doesn’t matter what

I didn’t like being a failure. I was a very successful person.

other people think, but that’s what people get wrapped

14 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

up in. What are people going to say?

A journalist once asked me, “Are you concerned your kids are going to find out about this? You are being so open about your drinking and your recovery.” I said to him, “No. I think they are really going to be proud of me, because their father changed his life for them. He told the truth and he was able to face it rather than live with a secret.”

Secrets can kill you. You know I wouldn’t be here today [if I had kept drinking]. I would have lost my family and I would’ve died. So when I look at it that way, my kids are going to look at this whole story and say, “Wow, my dad did this for me, because he loved me.”

LDL: What message of hope would you like to share with the people out there who might be struggling?

SM: I would like to tell them that they are not alone. No one is alone. We are in this together. Everyone is worthy of love and capable of finding it, no matter how bad it is. I really believe that! Life can be unpredictable and it can be horrible, but there’s always an alternative. For people who are not lucky enough to have had the problem, keep your eyes open and be prepared to help those who need help.

It’s a two-way street. My “Help Your Self” song was tonguein-cheek and it was another kind of battlecry for me to attack my addiction. What I was really doing was accepting and realizing that I needed help. So don’t be afraid to admit you have a problem. The worst thing you can do is pretend. The worst thing you can do is to continue to be that actor your whole life. You’ll miss your life. If you’re going to do it for the sake of the stage and the audience, you’re being foolish. That was my life. I was on that stage living the dream… pretending.

During his journey of self-discovery and recovery Séan has released two albums; Help Your Self and You Know I Love You. He continues to share his life story through his music and speaking engagements with the NSB speaking agency. He’s doing as much as he can to help other people. He has opened his eyes, he has learned how to sit on his blisters and he is prepared to help those who need help.

For more information on Séan McCann visit:

www.seanmccannsings.com

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 15

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A CAMPUS CALL TO ACTION

By Cassie Hooker

O

N COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES ACROSS

bridges saw a total of six student suicides in 2010.

North America, September sees a flurry of activi-

The steel nets, highly visible and effective, are a sign of

ty; students line up to register for classes, pay tui-

the times; they acknowledge the fact that even the best

tion, buy textbooks, and settle into their new classrooms,

and brightest are struggling. Shortly after the suicides,

dorms and residences. Some of them leave their entire

university president David Skorton told the Cornell Daily

family and social support networks behind to attend the

Sun that he considered these deaths to be “the tip of the

school of their choice in other parts of the continent or

iceberg, indicative of a much larger spectrum of mental

even the world.

health challenges faced by many on our campus and on

These days at Ithaca New York’s Cornell University,

campuses everywhere.”

something a little different happens in September — something that would have been unheard of for earlier generations of students: steel mesh nets are installed under each of the seven bridges on campus. Overlooking the beautiful gorges that Ithaca is famous for, these

THE NATURE OF THE BEAST Last year, Ryerson University in Toronto saw a 200 percent rise in the demand for services capable of responding to the needs of students in mental and emotional

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 17

ket, and the fact that students are constantly “connected” via technology and social media, we’ve ended up with a generation of students who not only disregard their own health in order to succeed in school, but also no longer has the time or ability to disconnect and unwind — something that is necessary for mental wellness in anyone.

In an effort to quantify the needs of its student body, The University of Alberta conducted a survey of 1,600 students in 2011; the results show there is something terribly wrong with the system. In that survey, 51 percent reported feelings of hopelessness and overwhelming anxiety, while 7 percent admitted to seriously considering suicide; 1 percent actually attempted it.

The problem has hit home here on the west coast, too.

The University of Victoria has been showing signs of following this disturbing trend. Although measures are being put in place to open a community dialogue about student mental health, the waitlist to see on-campus counsellors and specialists remains long.

Maria Browning,* a second-year student at UVic, had to wait several weeks before she was able to speak with a counsellor.

“I was at the top of my class in high school,” she says.

“After coming to university, I found that I was competing with so many others who were also at the top of their class. I’m struggling to keep my grades up, and there’s so much pressure to do well. I had a mental breakdown in my first year because of it. I had to take a semester off.”

HOPEFUL BEGINNINGS Although the problem of poor student mental health reached its critical point before institutional and community dialogues began to really address the issue, there is hope for current and future students. At the University crisis. The problem of negative student mental health has been growing exponentially over the last few years.

According to Robin Everall, a provost fellow for student mental health in the University of Alberta, “It’s across all of North America.”

On top of daily stresses relating to their family, finances, or even a previous medical diagnosis, students face an often overwhelming push to succeed at whatever cost, now more than ever. With the current competitive job mar-

18 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

of Victoria, as well as educational institutions all across North America, steps are being made to take the stigma off of mental wellness and encourage those suffering to reach out. After an extensive consultation process, the university executive at UVic approved a three-year Student Mental Health Strategy, which aims to ensure that the mental-health services available to its students are well coordinated, and strategically employed and monitored, operating within a common framework of principles and goals.

Although students feeling overwhelmed and not getting the help they need has led to an unfortunate rise in student suicides over the last few years, professionals and students alike are coming together to make change happen. Some institutional initiatives are taking the professional-led approach to student mental health, using the

Get answers to your questions no questions asked…

assistance of counsellors and psychologists. Others are choosing to expand their mental wellness campaigns to include student-to-student programs, like Brock University’s Cope.Care.Connect, a student-led initiative designed to help those suffering find successful ways to cope with

Free • confidential

1-800-665-2437

their problems.

Outside of the campus context, there are also options available for students having suicidal thoughts. For a complete listing of crisis centres across Canada, as well as other resources, please visit: suicideprevention.ca. If you need someone to talk to, but can’t go to a crisis centre, please visit: suicide.org/hotlines/international/canada-suicide-hotlines.html

* Name changed at the request of the student

hep c • aids • hiv • prevention • testing • treatment

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 19

INSPIRING HOPE AND HEALTH

TAKE THE BE YOU PROMISE

WWW.BEYOUPROMISE.ORG Stigma Magazine is published by Be You Promise.Org

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BEING A GHOST

INVISIBLY DISABLED AT WORK

By D. E. Harris, MSW, LSW

D

ON’T YOU JUST LOVE THAT “OPTIONAL” question-

ty employer. Here in the U.S., the questionnaire goes on

naire when you’re done applying for a job in the

further to cite “United States federal regulations on hiring

United States that asks whether or not you have

person(s) with…”Then you answer the question honestly,

a disability?

While my experience is based in America, many Cana-

stating, “Yes! Yes! I am disabled!”

Don’t you just love that?

dian employers have similar questionnaires or boxes to

After some time passes, you don’t hear back from the

tick when you fill out a job application, or state promi-

employer, but eventually you get an email that states,

nently on a job posting that they are an equal opportuni-

“While your skills and credentials were impressive…” Blah.

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 21

Blah. Blah. You just so happen to walk past said agency

very little about the welfare of others. On the off chance

you applied at, take a look inside and find someone in a

you aren’t familiar with the whole story, I’m not going

wheelchair working your job.

to get into the whole plot, but when Marley’s ghost ap-

Don’t you just hate that?

peared, it is bound in chains made of ledgers of this

It appears that seeing a disability makes a stronger case

dead-a-cation to his job in life and a cloth that held up

than not seeing one. For example, if you were to ask for

his jaw.

work accommodations, people can generally understand

Let’s look at the scenario of Marley’s ghostly visit with

a blind person’s request for something like a service an-

Scrooge and take away the chain of ledgers and cloth—

imal — but if you had severe depression and needed to

what do we get? Just a ghost that failed to file a grievance

work four days instead of five because your psychiatrist

before he died, but decided to air his complaint without

only sees people on Fridays; people will want to know

anything to show to support it.

why you get Fridays off. After all, you don’t look disabled!

Being a ghost sucks! And people with mental health

In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, we meet the

conditions are said to have an “invisible” disability, a dis-

ghost of the late Jacob Marley, a co-worker of Ebenezer

ability that needs to be proven. And despite all efforts

Scrooge, a stubborn, witless, profit mongrel who cared

to seek accommodations on the job, most employers (if they hire you) will be hesitant to provide aids because of a broad belief that mental health conditions aren’t real, and if they are real, the employer is tongue-tied to explain his or her actions to envious employees.

In the end, an employer has two options: hire the person with a visible disability that comfortably satisfies the United States government’s disability hiring policy or hire the person with a mental health condition whose co-workers will wonder why he or she gets special treatment over them. You can see the obvious choice.

Here is a common situation for folks here in Pennsylvania: the United States Office of Vocational Rehabilitations lost state funding so you have to wait six months to see a counselor. Social Security is threatening to take away your benefits after the third medical review this month. Welfare is sending you letters stating if you don’t start working you’ll lose your Pennsylvania Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (also known as food stamps), and now you can’t be hired because you don’t look disabled. These are the never ending perks of being a ghost.

Don’t you just love that?

D. E. Harris is a licensed behavioral health practitioner and certified trauma-competent professional, who has been a social welfare advocate for nearly 10 years. He is an accomplished essayist, researcher, psychotherapist and Adjunct Professor at Harcum College. He lives in Philadelphia, PA.

22 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH FINDING THE SILVER LINING AFTER ADDICTION

P

OST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH (PTG) IS A NEW term

that is being tossed around in Canada’s psychological dialogue. First coined by psychologists Richard

G. Tedeschi and Lawrence G. Calhoun in 1996, PTG refers to the emotional/psychological growth that can occur after one has grappled with addiction or other mental trauma.

The idea that trauma can have the ability to transform the sufferer is not new — in fact, it has its foundation in the ancient teachings of Hinduism and Buddhism. Modern in-

terest in PTG began gaining momentum in the mid-1990s, founded on the notion that attention should be given to studying healthy people, as well as studying the positive aspects of human behaviour. Stephen Joseph, co-director for the Center for Trauma, Resilience and Growth in Nottingham, England, writes in his book What Doesn’t Kill Us: The New Psychology of Posttraumatic Growth that PTG is more than a new acronym: “It promises to radically alter our ideas about trauma— especially the notion that trauma inevitably leads to a damaged and dysfunctional life.”

Post-Traumatic Growth doesn’t imply that addiction is good, but does allow that good can come from it — in essence, trauma gives us a choice between suffering and growing as a result, or suffering and not growing at all.

RESILIENCE VS. THRIVING The closest term that traditional psychology has to PTG is “resilience;” basically, one’s ability to return to the way they were prior to addiction…bouncing back, as it were.

The problem with resilience, in this case, is that most people in recovery can never return to the way they were before addiction. For many, it really is true that, after you hit rock bottom, the only way you can go is up.

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 23

As those who have dealt with substance abuse know,

Get answers to your questions no questions asked…

there is little about addiction that is rosy; any positive steps made after choosing to be sober are significantly tempered by what is experienced during active addiction.

However, when the way one looks at the world has been thrown into upheaval by trauma, one is given a unique opportunity to remake their reality.

This is where “thriving” comes into play. Thriving is different from resilience in that it goes beyond returning to a baseline, allowing people in recovery to be better than

Free • confidential

1-800-665-2437

they were by finding the silver lining within their trauma.

In order to understand the nature of thriving, it’s important to remember that growth doesn’t happen without suffering. After addiction, some are able to build a reality for themselves that is filled with hope, personal strength and a kind of wisdom that they wouldn’t have been able to appreciate before their addiction.

“A small percentage of people cannot return to their previous level of functioning after a traumatic event,” says Anna A. Berardi, director of George Fox University’s Trauma Response Institute. “Most people emerge from a trauma wiser, with a deeper appreciation of life.”

The growth that can happen in the context of thriving manifests itself as greater self-acceptance, a change in priorities, deepening relationships, the development of empathy, and learning one’s personal strength.

James Rosecourt* was an alcoholic for 10 years. Sober for nearly 26 years now, he indicates that his priorities have changed “from needing to have a drink to needing to look after my family. I now no longer turn to the bottle to solve my problems.”

POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY PTG is largely associated with Positive Psychology. The approach that traditional psychology has to resiliency is oriented toward the problem in question; this means either fixing the issue or simply avoiding it so that one’s baseline well-being can be maintained. The problem with this approach is that it doesn’t acknowledge the fact that growth can happen that exceeds the baseline — that is, growth that goes beyond who the person was before their addiction. Although it is typically applied to suicide be-

hep c • aids • hiv • prevention • testing • treatment

reavement, Positive Psychology attempts to reconcile this while investigating one’s ability to grow within the context

24 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

of the trauma. Since its fundamental approach is broad, Positive Psychology in the larger sense — and Post-Traumatic Growth in particular — can be applied to people who have grappled with addiction.

“Mental health professionals have a long history of looking only at what’s wrong with human functioning,” says Anna. “But if you ask people, ‘Have you been through something difficult and come out the other side stronger, wiser and more compassionate?’ the majority of us would answer yes. That’s powerful proof that as humans we’re wired to grow as a result of hardship.”

HOW DOES PTG WORK?

BE YOU YOUTH HEALTHY CHOICES AND ANTI-DRUG SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Informally referred to as “benefit finding,” PTG is sometimes demonstrated as decreased reactivity to similarly stressful events in the future, or the ability to recover faster;

The Be You Youth

it also often affects a drastic change in the way you relate

Healthy Choices and

to and think about the world around you.

Anti-Drug Scholarship

Generally, those with greater self-confidence, better sup-

Program has been

port (and, thus, more opportunities for communication),

designed to support

as well as the ability to accept things they can’t change

and encourage

report the highest degrees of Post-Traumatic Growth. This growth isn’t a direct result of the trauma itself, but rather the recovering person’s struggle with constructing their post-addiction reality.

“Since I decided to become sober, I’ve dealt with my divorce, the deaths of my brother, sister-in-law and neph-

hardworking, deserving students graduating from a Greater Victoria high

ew,” says James, “and having two young kids with special

school to further their

needs, without once returning to the bottle. I commu-

education at a post-secondary

nicate openly with my partner, and am able to work

institution. Ten $1,000 scholarships

through my problems better. There are still times when I

will be awarded.

think about drinking, but I’m strong enough to resist the urge now.”

Post-Traumatic Growth, and everything that is contained

For further information contact Luke de Leseleuc at

within it, has given the experts a way to both express and

Luke@beyoupromise.org,

recognize what has been in plain sight all along: the enor-

call (778) 746-7799 or visit

mous ability of trauma to transform survivors so that they

www.beyoupromise.org/scholarship

become better than they were before their addiction.

For more information, visit www.trauma-recovery.ca/ resiliency/post-traumatic-growth/

*Name changed at interviewee’s request

WHERE WILL YOUR CHOICES TAKE YOU? Be You Promise.Org | Suite 703 -1803 Douglas St. Victoria, BC E info@beyoupromise.org | P 778.746.7799 | TF 866.238.3077

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 25

26 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

DOES FORCED DRUG TREATMENT ACTUALLY WORK?

By Dr. Karen Urbanoski

W

HY CAN’T WE JUST MAKE PEOPLE

ing whether or not forcing someone to attend

go to addiction treatment? This is

treatment “works.” After decades of research,

a question some may be asking

why is this still such a controversial topic?

in light of recent overdose deaths and other

At this point, it has become apparent that

drug-related problems in Victoria. Is forcing

the right question is not whether or not man-

people to get help an effective response to

dated treatment works, but under what cir-

the problems caused by addiction? It turns

cumstances might it work and how? And

out the evidence is murky—and the research

under what circumstances does it become

may not even be asking the right questions.

yet another negative experience with the sys-

Compulsory addiction treatment does exist in Canada in a number of different forms. Peo-

tem, leading to further marginalization and drug-related harms? Here’s why.

ple can be formally mandated to a treatment

The majority of studies have focused on

program as an alternative to going to jail or as

mandates from the legal system (e.g., through

a condition of parole or probation. People can

the courts). Findings differ across studies, but

also be compelled to get help in order to keep

most show that people who are court-man-

their jobs, their children, their social assistance

dated seem to do just as well in treatment as

benefits, and so on. Where the data are availa-

others. However, people who are court-man-

ble in Canada, the statistics show that around

dated tend to be different from those who

1 in 5 people attending services for addiction

are not. Specifically, they tend to be younger

are required to be there.

and less severely addicted. Comparing groups

Advocates of compulsory treatment ar-

of people who are different to begin with,

gue that providing services and supports for

finding that they differ (or not) at the end of

addiction is more humane, economical, and

a study, and chalking that finding up to treat-

effective than putting people in jail, firing

ment is not good science.

them, or letting them hit “rock bottom.” These

Another important issue is that personal

arguments have (quite reasonably) led to a

motivation and other life circumstances play

large number of studies aimed at determin-

a role in recovery, and this is true whether

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 27

or not the person is required to be there. Many people

Of course it is preferable (and likely more effective) if

who are court-mandated report low motivation to at-

we can help someone early on, before their problems get

tend treatment, but not all. Many of those who are not

really bad. But it is not at all clear that the people who

court-mandated report low motivation and would not

are being diverted from the legal system to addiction

describe themselves as “voluntary.” Comparing people

treatment are ones who are most in need, or the ones

who do and do not have a court mandate is opportunis-

who will end up being most in need down the road. If

tic research, but it misses the point if we are interested in

we aren’t careful, there is ample opportunity for inequi-

knowing whether addiction services are effective when

ties to arise in terms of who is even offered the choice of

they are forced versus voluntary.

going to treatment. There is some evidence that this may

Current policies on compulsory treatment implicitly as-

already be happening. A recent review of Canada’s Drug

sume that people who do not initially want to be there

Treatment Courts found that the majority of those divert-

will “come around” with time. However, this has never ac-

ed from prison via the program are middle-aged white

tually been studied. If the point of compulsory treatment

men. This means women, youth, and indigenous peo-

is to help people make steps toward recovery, then this is

ples—among the prime target groups of the program—are

exactly the kind of research that needs to be conducted.

not being served.

We need to figure out the best ways to support and in-

There is no doubt that some people mandated to treat-

crease people’s mo-

ment have been helped. But it is far from a panacea. Even

tivation and their

with a variety of strategies in place to compel people into

capacity for deci-

programs, the most severely affected people are still fall-

sion-making.

ing through the cracks.

The bottom line is that no society will ever treat its way out of addiction. Yes, addiction treatment can help people. A continuum of services should be accessible to everyone. At the same time, the impacts of poverty, homelessness, colonialism, racism, and mental illness are not solved by a short stint in a treatment program. Such complex problems will require systemic policy changes that extend far beyond what addiction services are able to provide.

Dr. Karen Urbanoski is the Canada Research Chair in Substance Use, Addictions and Health Services Research, and a Scientist with the Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia (CARBC) and an Assistant Professor in Public Health and Social Policy at the University of Victoria. Her research focuses on the development and course of substance use problems and addiction, and the roles played by health and social service systems in recovery.

This post originally appeared on CARBC’s Matters of Substance blog at oac.uvic.ca/carbc

28 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

the VALUE of INNOCENCE

By Julia Breese

T

HE FIRST TIME I ATTENDED A yoga class was at the

I thought seemed simple enough. We were instructed

end of a year spent struggling with an addiction. I

to notice our breath and any sensations present in our

had resolved to exercise as part of my commitment

bodies. “Great”, I thought to myself, “This is easy”. Then the

to a healthier lifestyle. Yoga had been recommended to

room went quiet. We were to hold that first pose for sev-

me as a gentle way to transition back into my body.

eral minutes.

When I arrived at the studio the teacher greeted me

It was agonizing to just be there, not moving, not doing

with a warm smile. I told her I was new to the practice and

anything. There was nothing to distract me from myself.

that I was looking for something to help improve my flexi-

My mind raced with worries and judgement while my

bility. She explained to me that the style she was teaching,

restless body ached. After what seemed like an eternity

Yin Yoga, could be challenging at first. She advised that I

the teacher gently reminded us to notice our breath and

take lots of props to help support myself during the class.

to guide our attention back to the present moment. That

With the gentle ring of a chime the class started. We

was all we had to do. Breath and stay present. Sounds easy

were guided through a short prayer and a moment of si-

right? Not really.

lence as we were asked to create an intention for our prac-

The class continued at this snail-like place while I wres-

tice. The teacher then directed us into the first pose which

tled internally with my own mind. I didn’t enjoy my first

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 29

yoga session at all but deep inside I knew there was an

Yes, uncomfortable emotions bubbled to the surface but

important lesson here for me. My previous life pattern

I was instructed not to attach too much meaning or im-

had been to avoid or push away things that made me un-

portance to them. All I was asked to do was to relax and

comfortable. I had been a master at escaping, whether

feel my breath. As my thoughts and feelings came and

that had been in the form of physically running away or

went and I started to see the up and down rhythms that

by taking some substance. Now I was being asked to stay,

we all go through in life for what they are, temporary and

even if staying was uncomfortable or scary. I returned to

fleeting. It was very liberating.

these classes over and over again. As the classes became

Often when we are in recovery there is a lot of focus on

easier for me my life also greatly improved. I stopped run-

the problems that led us into substance abuse. Obviously

ning away from myself. I became aware of my tendency to

there can be great wisdom in learning from our mistakes.

constantly look for distraction or approval from others and

But sometimes the best results in healing come when we

instead allowed myself to feel satisfaction from within. In

allow ourselves to pause, let go of blame, and fully expe-

return, I started experiencing life with more authenticity

rience what is present in the moment rather than spend

and humour than I ever had before. I started taking things

time worrying about fixing ourselves or finding solutions

lightly.

for the inevitable challenges we all face in life. Yoga taught

Perhaps the most beautiful thing about yoga as part of my recovery process was that

me the value of innocence.

Julia Breese is a Yoga Therapist living in the Victoria area. She specializes in teach-

I didn’t need to think about all the pain-

ing yoga to those recovering from men-

ful things that had led me into addiction.

I could heal without processing everything.

tal health issues, addiction and trauma.

Learn more at www.garudayoga.ca

TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE WITH YOGA We offer private therapeutic yoga sessions to soothe your nervous system, reduce cravings and bring a greater sense of ease and comfort into your life.

Call 778-265-3916 for more information

G A RUDA

YOG A www.garudayoga.ca • 778.265.3916 • julia@garudayoga.ca

30 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

YOUR EMPLOYEE FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

A PLACE WHERE YOUR SECRETS SEE LIGHT Wayne Steer and Stacey Petersen

A

DDICTION IMPACTS EVERY ASPECT OF life; the workplace in particular represents a unique source of “uber-stress” for most people experiencing addiction. For a lot of us, the workplace can be a competitive, demanding and unforgiving environment.

On the positive side, it represents an outlet for creativity, a significant source of personal identity and justification of being, the source of revenue to maintain our status and standard of living.

The workplace is often tolerant of – and in many cases even promotes – the mantra of work hard, play hard as an almost twisted life balance; a perverted yin and a yang.

This attitude can set up an onslaught of binge drinking/

using. When this progresses and spirals out of control, for those with the disease of addiction, it can be like trying to turn down the volume on the stereo when the volume control is broken. There can be plenty of judgement heaped on these individuals, and they are often perceived as being weak and somehow morally deficient. Behind this dangerous attitude is a distinct misunderstanding of the medically supported disease model of addiction.

Although addiction was recognized as a disease in the 1950s, many people continue to cling onto the misconception or stigma that this disease is relegated to certain socioeconomic levels and does not affect “good families,” that somehow people in higher income brackets are “im-

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 31

mune.” The plain truth is that no one is immune to this disease.

We interviewed five different professionals in recovery who had successfully completed Fresh Start’s 12-16 week program were interviewed to get their take on what it’s like to be in active addiction in a “professional environment.” Their professions included CA/comptroller, lawyer, MBA/systems analyst, wealth management specialist and a petroleum engineer.

All five of these professionals share things in common: they are well educated and come from two-parent homes where at least one parent has a university education, stable job, home, car and family. According to many of the societal yardsticks, they grew up as members of “good families.”

For most of the people we spoke to, their use was confined to social settings at first, but soon became more frequent as time passed and was practiced with or without company to reduce stress and cope with mounting pressures at work.

As their usage increased, there was also a corresponding and escalating fear of being “found out,” which led to a perceived need for them to hide their habit and isolate more. This cycle continued in a manner akin to a human tornado, where the employee experienced an accelerating downward spiral of isolation, loneliness, despair, and increasing use leading towards an inevitable crash.

Jack, the CA/comptroller, said he decided to give his company’s Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) a call and “test them” on an issue that was important but not threatening to deal with before approaching them about his addiction. He was apprehensive and skeptical about the process at first, but once he had set the wheels in motion he was amazed at their professionalism, timeliness in addressing his issue, level of knowledge and access to expert resources and - most of all - the degree of respect and confidentiality they offered.

For the vast majority of those interviewed, their crash came hard; their experiences ranged from being fired on

32 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

the spot, to being escorted out of the office with all their belongings through the gauntlet of coworkers to getting “The Call” at home. None of these experiences were easy and all could have had happier endings — or happier middles.

Because of his positive experience with his company’s EFAP program, Jack built up the courage to make the one call that he had been leading up to and dreading —the “Big One.” After 14 years of struggle, he called his EFAP program to finally get help.

Jack says it was the best thing he ever did; he told us the level and quality of service, compassion and confidentiality he received from the EFAP program was a welcomed surprise. They helped him find a recovery program at Fresh Start which began his process for long-term recovery. Today, Jack is a highly responsible professional working as a CA/comptroller in a very demanding environment; he will be celebrating five years of sobriety before Canada Day. While all five have had different paths to their recovery, all are experiencing a much better quality of life through their recovery collectively living with 20 years of continuous recovery experience.

From a practical standpoint, some of the best advice we’ve heard as staff members at Fresh Start is that “If you’re struggling with alcohol or drugs and your company has an EFAP program, CALL THEM; they are there to help you stop the madness. They will help you find the right program so you can heal and make life better for you and all around you.”

No one is immune to the disease of addiction and if you are struggling, please use the resources available to you to find the help that is available to you through your EFAP program; it just might save your life.

Wayne Steer and Stacey Petersen are part of the team at the Fresh Start Recovery Centre, a national award-winning organization located in Calgary, Alberta that provides housing, treatment and support for people affected by addiction. Fresh Start helps people from a wide variety of backgrounds and vocations.

45 YEARS OF RECOVERY

THE STORY OF KINGHAVEN PEARDONVILLE HOUSE SOCIETY Milt Walker

F

ROM OUR HUMBLE BEGINNINGS IN 1971 as a sim-

suffering from chronic alcoholism. This group, made up

ple halfway house to today’s state-of-the-art cam-

of business people, the medical professionals and mem-

puses having served in excess of 25,000 men and

bers of the Alcoholics Anonymous community, knew

4,000 women and children, Kinghaven Peardonville

many of these men would sober up for short periods of

House Society prides itself on being one of the most suc-

time but would soon return to heavy, addictive drinking.

cessful, progressive and innovative treatment centres in

The problem, they felt, was that the men were never giv-

Canada.

en a sufficient period of time in which to address their

It all started in 1970, when a small group of men living

alcoholism, drinking patterns and issues created by their

in the Abbotsford/Matsqui area of the Fraser Valley rec-

excessive drinking such as job loss, marital stress and

ognized the need for a residential facility devoted to men

breakdown, and impaired-driving charges. The goal of

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 33

this group was to establish a residential facility, based on the 12-Steps and Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous, that would allow adult men who self-identified as alcoholics a safe place to address the myriad of challenges their addiction created. Thus the MSA Halfway House Society was established and 32-bed Kinghaven Halfway House opened on May 11th, 1971 on the site of the former Bethel Bible College.

A number of changes have occurred over the years and many additional services have been added to the organization’s repertoire of resources. For example, a major building project was undertaken in 1981 due to the increasing demand for services, including the need for treatment related to marijuana and other drugs. Kinghaven expanded to 52 beds, adding a new residential building, a counselling office and a large kitchen/dining hall, thus evolving from a halfway house to a full-service, intensive residential treatment facility with the ability to serve and meet the recovery needs of adult men suffering from alcoholism and/or addiction to any other mood-altering substances. More staff was added and a more intense, therapeutic program developed in order to address the increasingly complex issues clients were now presenting with.

In 1987, the board of director’s recognized that services for women with addiction issues were seriously lacking.

The board purchased and renovated the former Peardonville House Elementary School property, and the 18-bed Peardonville House Treatment Centre, a residential service for adult women, was opened, with the organization changing its name to Valley Recovery Support Association. While this program enjoyed overwhelming success, it also identified a serious lack of services for women who had young children and were unable to afford childcare.

The then-Ministry of Health Services asked Peardonville House to pilot a “Moms and Kids” program, the first of its kind in Canada, that allowed women to bring their under-school-age children to residential treatment to share in the recovery process. What makes this program so unique is the fact that while Mom is in treatment; her children are cared for in a fully licensed, on-site childcare centre. The program was so successful that the facility’s older buildings were no longer meeting the organization’s expanding needs and the society launched

34 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

a fundraising campaign to replace

It was completed in 2013 at a cost of

sult, and thanks to a $1 million grant

the existing facility with new, larger

$6.5 million; the following year, the

from the BC Ministry of Health, the

buildings.

The target was reached

former administration building and

five-week Employment Readiness

in 1998, and on June 28th 2002 the

a residence were replaced by a $3.5

Program was initiated. Designed to

new Peardonville House was opened

million state-of-the-art facility that

accommodate those clients wish-

to serve the needs of 20 adult wom-

houses 62 residents. This brought the

ing to improve their employability

en and eight children. This program

combined compliment of clients “in

following treatment, this program is

is now considered by many to be the

residence” at any one time to 133.

now an integral part of our 70-day

flagship of residential treatment for women in the province.

New facilities demanded new and

Intensive Treatment Model. Reinte-

more creative programming. As a re-

gration into the community as pro-

In 2007, the Fraser Health Authority recognized the need for less intensive programming for men and women presenting with both mental health and addiction issues. This resulted in the development of the Stabilization and Transitional Living Residence (STLR) programs being added to both the Kinghaven and Peardonville sites. These six-bed residences (Valley House at Kinghaven and Mollie’s Place at Peardonville House) offer longer-term program stays to allow clients to stabilize before to transitioning to more full-time housing. With the addition of these two programs, Kinghaven Peardon-

C A N A D A’ S L E A D E R I N P R O G R E S S I V E A N D I N N O VAT I V E R E C O V E RY P R O G R A M S KINGHAVEN

A full-service, intensive residential treatment facility with the ability to serve and meet the recovery needs of adult men.

PEARDONVILLE

A flagship residential treatment facility for adult women who want to stop the cycle of substance misuse in their life.

ville House Society now had the resources to serve 92 men, women and children at any one time.

The ever-innovative and progressive board and staff began to recog-

~ Facilities located in a tranquil, rural setting ~ ~ 5-week employment readiness program for qualified applicants ~ ~ Second Stage Housing for clients transitioning to independent living ~ ~ All programs delivered by highly skilled and credentialed staff ~ ~ “Moms and Kids” program for women in recovery ~ ~ Clients on Methadone welcome ~

nize that a serious gap in long-term treatment services was very evident, in that there were very few places for clients to transition to once treatment was complete. Plans were made to add a second-stage housing building to the Kinghaven site and to replace two of the existing buildings that had served their purpose well for 43 years. This was to become the George Schmidt Centre, a second-stage housing complex for men.

WWW. KINGHAVEN.CA WWW.PEARDONVILLEHOUSE.CA STIGMA MAGAZINE | 35

ductive, employable citizens should be the goal of those enrolled in this part of our program. Some of the topics addressed in the program include literacy and computer skills training, job-search strategies, relapse prevention and working with First Nations elders and people from the BC Centre for Disabilities.

Looking back on the past 45 years that Kinghaven Peardonville House Society has been operating, it’s amazing to see what a group of people who recognized a need in the community were able to accomplish.

Milt Walker first arrived at Kinghaven in 1983 as a resident seeking treatment for his alcoholism. After completing the initial thirty-five day program, he was asked to stay on as a volunteer answering the phones at the front desk. In 1984, Milt gained full-time employment as the cook of the facility. Milt then returned to college and acquired a Substance Abuse Certificate and became a counselor.

After being appointed as the Deputy Executive Director, he became the Executive Director in 2000 and he continues to hold that position today.

Sooke Therapeutic

Yoga Society Sooke Therapeutic Yoga Society offers free Health & Wellness programs to assist those dealing with cancer, trauma issues, addictions, etc., as well as offering yoga for kids and teens. The Society also offers prenatal yoga and noon-time yoga by donation. To attend these sessions or learn more please call 250.642.9642

250.642.9642 www.sookeyoga.com 36 | STIGMA MAGAZINE

HELPING YOUTH WITH SUBSTANCE USE ISSUES Susan Evans

D

ISCOVERY YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES (Discovery) is an Island Health program designed to assist youth and/or their families reduce the harms associated with substance use. The services are free and available to anyone in the community who is negatively impacted by substance use, whether their own or someone else’s.

“We work with youth ages 13 to 19 but these ages have ‘soft edges’ depending on the circumstances,” says Maia Sladde. “We’ll help older youth transition to adult services, supporting them until they get the hang of it, and we also work with younger youth in need.”

Sladde is an intake counsellor at the Nanaimo Discovery office. Like all of the counsellors at Discovery, she loves her work and is passionate about supporting youth. “We provide drug and alcohol services for youth which might range from those who are curious and want to try it, those who have been suspended from school for substance use to youth who are daily users.”

In addition to counselling and support, Discovery has access to many services across the Island including stabilization and detox services and can connect youth and families depending on their goals. Counsellors make

assessments holistically by looking at the whole person – biological, psychological, social, spiritual—in order to understand, not only what their client needs, but what they want.

“We work with youth to meet their goals,” says Sladde. “And that means gaining an understanding of their circumstances including their family, their history, past trauma, living situations in order to address what they want to achieve.”

Discovery works with the youth’s team which might include their family, social workers or just the youth alone.

There is a focus on family, and Discovery’s philosophy is to be open to whatever family means to them. Confidentiality is absolutely guaranteed and trust is the basis for relationships between counsellors and youth.

Philosophically, Discovery counsellors approach their work from a strength-based and relationship perspective.

This approach builds on their client’s strengths while committing to strong, trusting relationships between counsellor and client.

“We are always hopeful and offer strong validation for our clients,” says Sladde. “We make sure that youth understand that it’s not about blame, instead our approach

STIGMA MAGAZINE | 37

is to be curious. ‘Where are you sitting in your skin right now that this makes sense? Maybe if I understood that, I could offer something that could help you.’ We work hard to make sure that youth are comfortable and feel able to share. It can take time until they feel safe and trust enough to do that.”

Up to one-third of the case load at Discovery is parents.

Sometimes their son or daughter isn’t interested in getting involved but parents can access the services and by helping themselves, they can often help their youth.

“Parents are their son or daughter’s greatest resource,” says Sladde. “So even working just with parents can help their youth, and often that same youth will participate later.”

Some parents need help understanding what is going on for their youth. Learning about adolescent development – what is normal and natural for teens – can help them look for a new approach.

“This is a service to support what parents are already doing and our job is to come alongside them, but we are not here to ‘fix’ their child, says Sladde. “For parents, we can offer some perspective and perhaps insight into how to do things differently. We let them know they are not alone, that it’s OK to talk about it and be supported and heard.”

In addition to counselling, Discovery offers a number of resources for parents including groups, workshops and a program called Recognizing Resilience: for parents and caregivers of teens using substances.

“There is a spectrum of substance use from experimentation to dependence,” says Sladde. “Even if they get into

trouble, youth are so resilient they can turn it around quickly, with support.”

What turns them around?

“I would say that when a youth is feeling supported and not judged, when they are able to practise their independence in how they get better instead of just being told what to do, there is a lot of power in that,” says Sladde.

“When they are made a part of their own plan they can do amazing things.”

At Discovery, counsellors work with clients at their pace. They move as fast or as slow as the client wants and will meet them where they are comfortable, which might be away from the office in a coffee shop or mall.

“We are a harm reduction service and can engage with youth regardless of where they are at with their substance use,” says Sladde. “Their goal might not be to get clean, it might be to reduce their usage, to get back on track, to use less, or not use certain substances. It might be to get a job or somewhere to live. We support their overall wellness, which might include help with housing or getting them to a doctor. We are here to provide support but only when they want to take it.”

Discovery Youth and Family Services has offices across Vancouver Island (see sidebar following). Youth or family don’t need a referral, just call the nearest location for more information and to connect with someone.

“Problems love silence,” says Sladde. “The best way to get to a better place is to start talking about it.”

Article reprinted with permission from Island Health magazine.

DISCOVERY YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES Victoria/South Island

Nanaimo

Mt Waddington

530 Fraser Street, 2nd Floor

206 – 96 Cavan Street

7305 Market Street

Tel: 250-519-5313

Tel: 250-739-5790

Port Hardy, BC V0N 2P0 Tel: 250-902-6063

Cowichan Valley Area

Parksville/Qualicum

103 - 360 Duncan Street

494 Bay Avenue,

For more information on Island

Tel: 250-737-2029

Tel: 250-947-8215

Health’s Youth and Substance Use program, visit www.viha.ca.

Ladysmith

West Coast

1111 – 4th Avenue

272 Main Street

Tel: 250-739-5790

Ucluelet, BC Tel: 250-266-1565

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