Healing Mind, Body, & Soul:
Recovering from the Trauma of Addiction.

Teena rescued her son, Andrew, from severe opioid addiction and life on the streets. Facing this family crisis alone was not only challenging but at times traumatizing, leaving her feeling like she had lost herself. She not only had to help him on his healing journey but also had to figure out how to heal herself from this trauma so she could find joy again. Her strength and power to overcome gives hope to others.

Pam's own journey of resilience and transformation serves as a powerful testament to the human spirit's capacity for growth and renewal. Faced with adversity, including surviving abusive relationships and witnessing her son's battle with opioid addiction, Pam refused to be defined by her circumstances. Instead, she embarked on a path of self-discovery, empowerment, and ultimately, healing.

Confronted with life's brutal trials—childhood trauma, addiction, violence, loss, and survival on the streets—Luke’s soul refused to be overshadowed by past darkness. Enduring kidnapping, torture, and the battle against substance dependence, his path was one few could tread without faltering. Yet, from despair, a profound transformation was ignited. Through relentless perseverance, recovery, and education, he forged a new purpose in service to others.

Most of Brenda-Lynn’s life was engulfed in medical trauma, requiring her to take opioids for pain management. Then a mental health crisis made her take matters into her own hands and jump off the addictive carousel of pharmaceuticals. She shares her story of courage and bravery of overcoming the demons that enslaved her and the accompanying stigma that haunted her everyday life while appearing ‘normal.’

Fully recovered from a lifetime of mental health issues and addictions, Stacy aims to inspire others battling low self-worth and substance abuse. She firmly believes in the potential for healing and emphasizes that it unfolds gradually, akin to peeling layers off an onion. Stacy advocates for individuals to rediscover their true, authentic selves, emphasizing that the healing journey isn't about becoming something else but returning to one's core truth.

Faced with family uncertainty and trauma in his youth, along with early substance use, Ben embarked on a healing journey. By aiding others, he found solace for his own struggles. After a long career as a counsellor and by utilizing music as a healing tool, he champions the marginalized, advocating for those with little voice in society. This advocacy is crucial to his ongoing healing and striving to thrive.

Dawn Finn, Director of Community & Life Services, draws from personal triumphs and traumas to advocate for innovative recovery support. Her journey of resilience fuels empathetic leadership, fostering holistic wellness and empowerment for those facing substance use disorders and Co-Occurring Disorders. Championing stigma reduction, she inspires hope and meaningful change in the SUD & COD recovery landscape.

Childhood trauma primed Helena’s brain to seek comfort in alcohol and drugs. As an adolescent, blackout drinking and daily substance abuse entrenched addiction. Even later as a nurse, struggles with substance abuse plagued her. However, an overdose became a turning point, propelling her towards healing. Daily meditation and self-responsibility have given her a new lease on life. lease on life.