Recovery community marks stories of success

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on October 24, 2024.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, Dan Williams speaks to media along side Bruce Holstead, executive director of Fresh Start Recovery about what the province is doing to help Albertans be successful in their recovery journey Wednesday at the Lethbridge Recovery Community.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Taking the first step is not always the easiest thing to do. For those looking to take their first step towards recovery from addictions it may be even more challenging, but for the last year the Lethbridge Recovery Community has helped over a hundred Albertans not only take that first step, but stay on the path to recovery.

Dan Williams, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, spoke to reporters on Wednesday about what the provincial government is doing to help those struggling with addictions right here in Lethbridge.

“This is recovery in the community in action and the truth is that every single individual that passes through these doors means another life that had the opportunity at recovery,” said Williams.

He said the centre has helped over 110 Albertans within the last year and they are expecting that number to reach 200 next year.

“Alberta believes deeply that every single Albertan deserves an opportunity recovery, that they have dignity and that facilitating addiction isn’t the path forward, that instead healthcare should build healing individuals who are in crisis and helping those with addiction, which means recovery, treatment and a second lease on life,” said Williams.

And that is exactly what it means for Bryson North Peigan, a current client of the Recovery Facility who told media that being there for the last 7.5 months has literally saved his life.

“Before I got into fresh start, I was on the streets, I was in and out of jail and I was dying and overdosing all the time. This place has given me a completely new opportunity in life to do the things that I never thought I was going to be able to do,” said North Peigan.

He said he never felt like he belonged anywhere and thought he was going to die alone on the streets, but thanks to the recovery program he sees the opportunity as a second chance at life and he is not taking anything for granted.

Bruce Holstead, executive director of Fresh Start Recovery said that over the last year, they have seen lives change and it has been all thanks to the model they are able to follow.

“The model being a long-term model is a little bit different than your traditional 28-day, 90-day Program. So, there is some involvement, so organic growth will stay along the way, leading into great possibilities for them,” said Holstead.

Sean Perry, a current client who has been in the centre for 38 days as of Wednesday, said the ability to stay longer than other places is what has made a difference in his recovery journey.

“The longevity of the stay not only gives you more time and space to come to terms with what’s going on with your life, but when you leave here, there’s so many resources, you stay connected and it’s a warm handover,” said Perry.

When talking about the model, Williams said the province has not seen a recover in action model until the United Conservative Party came into government in 2019 and since then they have been focusing their efforts on building capacity.

“Our goal is wherever someone is at give them an opportunity to recovery, don’t facilitate the addiction, instead help them have a fulfilled life as a mother or a brother and a family member again, as a community member again,” said Williams.

He said their approach is about trying to address the addiction with the individual, give them treatment, give them an opportunity at recovery.

“We’re also going to be introducing an act into the legislature next year called compassionate intervention. For those where there is no ability for somebody to choose freely anymore to search out that addiction treatment, when they are danger to themselves or others because of their addiction,” said Williams.

 He explained that the compassionate intervention will allow society to compassionately intervene in their behalf to mandate treatment for those individuals.

And when it comes to location, North Peigan said that being able to be outside of the city has played a key role in his recovery, as he is no longer able to just go down the street and find someone to get drugs from.

“Being outside of the city where you don’t have to worry about that and you can forget all of your outside worries for a while and actually focus on the things that you need to focus on to get better, it’s just an amazing thing,” said North Peigan.

For those looking to take their first step towards recovery, Perry and North Peigan have some encouraging words.

“Absolutely nobody walks through these doors on a winning streak. It’s hard to look inside at certain parts of yourself, but know that you are more than accepted, more than welcome here,” said Perry.

 He said the first day he walked through those doors, he was welcomed with open arms, literally. He received lots of hugs and he said it was very therapeutic for someone who has felt alone and for a while.

 “This is lifesaving stuff. You matter, your life matters. We all make mistakes, but here we can take accountability and there’s so many resources here that you can apply to your life, so show up. You matter, you’re important,” said Perry.

North Peigan said he was very scared to take his first step towards recovery, but when he did he was very happy about it and felt very welcomed by everyone.

“I say if you’re scared, just take the step and everything will fall into place,” said North Peigan.