Province launching recovery coaching program to help people dealing with addictions
Dressed in bright blue jackets, volunteers will soon be hitting Calgary streets looking to connect vulnerable Calgarians struggling with addictions with support and resources.
“They’re going to work with people that are beginning or in their journey of recovery or even curious about recovery,” said Steve Gaspar, executive director of Recovery Coaches Alberta. “They’re going to work with that individual to help them achieve their own personal goals, whatever that looks like for them.”
Recovery coaches will engage with people around city parks, shelters, hospital emergency rooms, jails and correctional facilities.
15 people have just completed five weeks of training. Another group is set to start training this month.
HELP SETTING GOALS
The recovery coaches are in long-term recovery. They will guide those dealing with addictions to supports which could include finding a sponsor, accessing treatment options and making connections with community partners that help with housing and employment.
“It’s different in the way that we are not therapists, we’re not there to judge people. We’re there to meet on their level and help guide them, help set their own goals and achieve those goals,” said Sierra Hanson, who has just completed training.
Hanson said a program like this would have been beneficial to her when she was struggling with mental health issues and an addiction to crystal meth.
“I was in and out of the hospitals quite a bit and I think if I had someone really meet me on my level who had shared experience, I probably would have gotten to recovery a lot sooner,” said Hanson.
The coaches will remain in contact with the clients through their journey.
PATHWAY TO RECOVERY
The province said this is another tool to help people on the pathway to recovery.
“It won’t be just as simple as taking somebody to a shelter, taking them to Alpha House, Drop In Centre as an example, but really helping guide them to a path of detox, treatment, recovery, again trying to stop that cycle of abuse,” said Mike Ellis, Associate Minister, Mental Health and Addictions.
Ellis said the program is about connecting those struggling with addictions to multiple resources with the goal of ultimately helping someone be on a path to a better life.
The Alberta Addiction Service Providers Association has received nearly $1 million to train the recovery coaches in Calgary. The group represents over 30 detox, treatment, harm reduction, peer supportive housing and recovery operators in Alberta.
A mix of staff and volunteer coaches will be out starting in October. The province said the goal is to expand the coaching program throughout Alberta.
NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED TO FIND PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
The province has also launched a one-stop-shop website for Albertans to find information about addiction-related programs and services.
RecoveryAccessAlberta.ca will help people find a list of services including detox or treatment centres, harm reduction services or peer supportive housing.
The website launch comes ahead of International Overdose Awareness day on Tuesday.
According to data from the province, from January to May of this year, 624 Albertans have died from an accidental overdose.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6968454.1721308962!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'One screen, two movies': Conflicting conspiracy theories emerge from the Trump rally shooting
A former president is wounded in a shooting, the gunman quickly neutralized, and all of it is caught on camera. But for those who don't believe their eyes, that's just the start of the story.
6 bodies were found in a Bangkok hotel room with no signs of violence. Police think they know why
Should visitors to Thailand be concerned about their safety after six people were found dead in a locked hotel room in Bangkok?
BREAKING Two listeriosis deaths in Ontario linked to plant-based milk recall: MOH
Two deaths as a result of a listeriosis outbreak linked to a plant-based milk recall are in Ontario, provincial health officials confirmed Thursday.
More Americans are searching online about moving to Canada. But will they come here?
In the last few weeks, there has been a surge in the number of Americans searching online about moving to Canada and recent political events appear to have been a major catalyst.
Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly visiting China
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly is visiting China, according to China’s foreign ministry, in what was an unannounced trip.
RNC takeaways: Biden isn't the only older man keeping health details under wraps
Republicans welcomed JD Vance as Donald Trump's running mate on the same night devoted to blasting U.S. President Joe Biden's leadership on the world stage. Here are some takeaways from Day 3 of the RNC.
Former safety minister wants 'protective zones' for MPs' offices as threats increase
Former public safety minister Marco Mendicino is calling for the creation of 'protective zones' around political constituency offices to shield members of Parliament and their staff from a rising tide of threatening behaviour.
Days after shooting, Trump to address Republican National Convention on final day
Days after Donald Trump was injured in a shooting at a rally in Pennsylvania, the former U.S. president is expected to address the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin.
Mississauga, Ont., nursing home evacuated of more than 100 residents amid flooding
First responders say it took nearly 12 hours to rescue more than 100 residents from a flooded Mississauga, Ont., long-term care home after torrential rain pummelled the Greater Toronto Area on Tuesday.