• In Canada 1 in 5 individuals will have experienced a substance use disorder (SUD) at some point in their lives. 

• Approximately 23% of full-time college/university students meet the criteria for a substance use disorder  (Sullivan & Reisler, 2002)

• Less than 10% of individuals who have a substance use disorder seek help due to barriers such as stigma surrounding substance use, and not recognizing the problem  (Laudet et al., 2014)

Much of the pursuit of comfort that can lead to the need for a recovery process, originates with a lack of support for our trauma, loss, and grief. Systemic oppressions such as the chronic trauma of racist microaggressions, and the ongoing intergenerational impacts of colonialism, negatively impacts people at a physical, mental, spiritual and social level.

The original caretakers of this land, including the Tsuut’ina; the Blackfoot confederacy nations of Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani; the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Wesley nations of the Lyrahe Nakota; and the Metis people of region three, have been caused great harm from the theft of the land (the people are inseparable from this land). Settlers still benefit from this theft, and owe a debt to be better treaty partners in our accountability to Treaty Seven, which promises access to health care for Indigenous people.

As settlers who are working towards fulfilling the TRC Calls to action, and the MMIW Calls to Justice, we work as individuals, professionals, and learners, to advocate for Indigenous people to have access to places to heal from the devastating impacts of colonial racism. 

Access to health services includes opportunities for reconnection with culture, respecting people’s self-determination no matter where they are in their recovery journey, and creating places to build relationships with people who share a lived experience with recovery. This work includes challenging stigma associated with recovery and addiction; one of the best ways to do this is to ‘recover out loud’ or share our stories without shame.