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Recovery IS Possible

Canada is experiencing a drug toxicity crisis that is being fuelled by synthetic opioids like fentanyl. There was a total of 38,514 apparent opioid toxicity deaths between January 2016 and March 2023, many of which also involved stimulants or other substances.

  That is 21 deaths a day.

A total of 9,287 EMS responses to suspected opioid-related overdoses occurred so far in 2023 (January – March), based on available data from nine provinces and territories. 

Every single person in Canada is impacted in one way or another by addiction.

Whether it be ourselves, a family member, a friend or even a coworker.

Need help now or know someone who does?
  • BC Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service: Call 604-660-9382 in the Lower Mainland or 1-800-663-1441 toll-free anywhere in B.C. Available 24 hours a day.
  • BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information: For help and support via email at bcpartners@heretohelp.bc.ca.
  • Crisis Centre Online Chat: Get support, information and resources for adults in B.C. and Yukon. Online chat is available from noon to 1am Pacific Time.
  • Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre: Call: 1-800-665-1822 toll-free from anywhere in B.C., or 604-875-2084 in the Lower Mainland, for peer support, assistance in navigating the mental health system and accessing resources, and information and education about mental health and substance use challenges. Available Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 5pm Pacific Time.
  • BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services: Provides a range of specialized mental health and substance use services for adults across the province.
  • Better App: Free addiction recovery and overdose prevention app that connects people seeking recovery to their community.

RHF’s 2023 Festival of Lights Recovery Awareness Tree

Recovery is an ongoing process, for both the addict and his or her family. In recovery, there is hope. And hope is a wonderful thing.

 

– Dean Dauphinais

  • In a year, one in five Canadians will experience a mental health or substance use issue.
  • An estimated 68,000 youth between the ages of 15 and 24 meet the criteria for a substance use disorder.
  • Close to 8 million Canadians struggle with addiction
  • Almost all (99%) apparent stimulant toxicity deaths so far in 2023 (January-March) were accidental.
  • Of all accidental apparent opioid toxicity deaths so far in 2023 (January-March), 81% involved fentanyl. This percentage has increased by 42% since 2016.

Facts about Addiction

In 2016, it was declared that the overdose crisis was a public health emergency in BC. This country is currently experiencing an opioid epidemic, which has seen increases in hospitalizations and deaths due to heroin, fentanyl, and other opioids.

The crisis of addiction in BC is only getting worse and we need to help, by leading with compassion and support.

Almost half of Canadians report that they have used an illicit drug at some point in their lifetime, with cannabis being the most used illicit drug, followed by hallucinogens, cocaine/crack, and ecstasy.

Overdose Awareness

If you are worried that someone who may be experiencing an overdose, it is important that you don’t leave them alone. If the person is still conscious, try and keep them awake and monitor their breathing. Here are the signs to look out for during an overdose:
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Unresponsive to outside stimulus
  • Awake, but unable to talk
  • Breathing is very slow and shallow, erratic, or has stopped
  • For lighter skinned people, the skin tone turns bluish purple, for darker skinned people, it turns grayish or ashen.
  • Choking sounds, or a snore-like gurgling noise (sometimes called the “death rattle”)
  • Vomiting
  • Body is very limp
  • Face is very pale or clammy
  • Fingernails and lips turn blue or purplish black
  • Pulse (heartbeat) is slow, erratic, or not there at all

“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can,

and the wisdom to know the difference.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
 
A few of the Lower Mainland Recovery Programs

Wagner Hills

Wagner Hills Farm Society provides rehabilitation ministry to men and women with addiction.

Addiction is seen as a symptom of a broken life, as a condition that can be healed through individual inner growth and through transformation to a life that is lived in line with Christian principles and beliefs.
Healing, growth and transformation require time, individual commitment, and a tranquil environment. The two working farms provide a place of beauty, peace and safety for men and women to recover, to heal and to find hope and purpose for their lives.

Together We Can

Together We Can recognizes that addiction is a chronic, progressive disease and that abstinence is only the beginning of the recovery process. Men participating in our program must develop an awareness of how their thoughts and beliefs block them from wellness and inner peace. It is imperative that each man take personal responsibility for making positive and healthy new choices for themselves.

John Volken Academy

The John Volken Academy Program provides effective, long-term, residential addiction treatment for young men and women. This program works. It not only helps participants to get sober, but more importantly, it teaches them the necessary attributes to stay sober.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem. It doesn’t cost anything to attend A.A. meetings. There are no age or education requirements to participate. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem.

Al-Anon

Wagner Hills Farm Society provides rehabilitation ministry to men and women with addiction.

Alateen, a part of the Al-Anon Family Groups, is a fellowship of young people (mostly teenagers) whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking whether they are in your life drinking or not. By attending Alateen, teenagers meet other teenagers with similar situations. Alateen is not a religious program and there are no fees or dues to belong to it.

Adult & Teen Challenge BC

Teen Challenge provides rehabilitation ministry to men and women with addiction.

They exist to help people become mentally sound, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well, and spiritually alive! Teen Challenge is a Faith bases 12 – month recovery program.

 Click HERE for their website.

“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says ‘I’M POSSIBLE’!”

~Audrey Hepburn

Need help now or know someone who does?
  • BC Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service: Call 604-660-9382 in the Lower Mainland or 1-800-663-1441 toll-free anywhere in B.C. Available 24 hours a day.
  • BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information: For help and support via email at bcpartners@heretohelp.bc.ca.
  • Crisis Centre Online Chat: Get support, information and resources for adults in B.C. and Yukon. Online chat is available from noon to 1am Pacific Time.
  • Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre: Call: 1-800-665-1822 toll-free from anywhere in B.C., or 604-875-2084 in the Lower Mainland, for peer support, assistance in navigating the mental health system and accessing resources, and information and education about mental health and substance use challenges. Available Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 5pm Pacific Time.
  • BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services: Provides a range of specialized mental health and substance use services for adults across the province.
  • Better App: Free addiction recovery and overdose prevention app that connects people seeking recovery to their community.

seniors in need of music equipment

This Christmas bring isolated seniors the gift of music by supporting the Heart for Music Program
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