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Although Dr. Victoria Burns, PhD, found long-term recovery in 2013 following a 15-year battle with alcohol, she says it was in recovery – rather than in active addiction that she faced the most stigma.

Burns, an Assistant Professor with the Faculty of Social Work, says she found herself leading a double life when she began her recovery journey as a PhD student. In a recent article “,” Burns discusses how well-meaning colleagues continually encouraged her to toast her successes. They couldn’t fathom why someone would refuse a drink.

Burns wants to ensure that campus members don’t feel similarly isolated, ashamed, or judged. As such, she has founded the UCalgary Recovery Community (UCRC).

UCRC is inspired by Collegiate Recovery Communities (CRCs). To learn more about CRCs, see . UCRC is also inspired by the Recovery-Friendly Workplace (RFW) initiative. Learn more about .

What does addiction mean?

Addiction refers broadly to problematic use of substances (e.g., alcohol) or other behaviors (e.g., gambling, eating).

According to Canada’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CCSA) one simple way of describing addiction is the presence of the 4 Cs:

• Craving
• loss of��Control of amount or frequency of use
• Compulsion to use
• use despite��Consequences.

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How many Canadians have an addiction problem?

In Canada, it is estimated that approximately 21% of the population (about 6 million people) will meet the criteria for addiction in their lifetime.��

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What does recovery mean?

Recovery in mental health and substance use is about people living satisfying, hopeful lives and contributing to society even if they experience ongoing symptoms of a mental health or substance use problem ().

Recovery looks different for everyone. At the UCRC, we believe that people should be empowered to decide what recovery means for them and what they need to achieve it. From abstinence to harm reduction, all recovery pathways are welcome at the UCRC.

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Can I participate in the UCRC if I don’t have an addiction?

Yes! There’s a place in the UCRC for everyone who supports addiction recovery. Recovery Allies can participate in any of our community events or trainings. For more information on any of this, contact us at��recoverycommunity@ucalgary.ca.

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Who can come to recovery meetings at the UCRC?

Peer support meetings are open to anyone in the UCalgary community or larger Calgary recovery community who is curious about recovery, questioning their relationships with substances and/or other addictive behaviours (eating, gambling, gaming, etc.), or in long-term recovery.

Support for Supports

If you are supporting a loved one who is struggling with substance use or a behavior, you are not alone. It’s important that you have the support to manage the potential stress of helping someone. If you would like more information, please contact recoverycommunity@ucalgary.ca.

Al-Anon: Al‑Anon can help people learn how to cope with the challenges of someone else’s drinking. Al-Anon welcomes members of all faiths, or of none.

• 1-888-4AL-ANON

Alberta Addiction Helpline: 24 hour, 7 day a week confidential service that provides support, information and referrals to Albertans experiencing addiction and mental health concerns.

• 1-866-332-2322

Canadian Mental Health Association: ��Peer support service provides the opportunity for anyone – individual, family member, or professional – to speak with someone with lived experiences of mental health or substance use concerns.��

• ��403-297-1402
• peer@cmha.calgary.ab.ca

Fresh Start Recovery: Provides education, information and support to help families and friends understand addiction and how to live a life in recovery.

• 1-844-768-6266

Starlings: A peer empowerment community for people impacted by a parent’s substance use.

Sunrise Healing Lodge: Provides Indigenous based family counselling, sharing circles and education about the effects and consequences of alcohol and other drug use.

• (403) 261-7921

• 12th annual . Several of our members participated in the virtual conference June 21-23, 2021
• 3rd annual . Several of our members participated in the virtual conference, June 16-17 2021