Throughout the month of September, Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVOR) Canada will join with partners across the country and around the world to celebrate the power and proof of recovery from addiction and its value to individuals, families, workplaces, and communities.
In 2012 the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) found that 4.4% of Canadians met the criteria for a substance use disorder. This figure represents more than 1.5 million people, which is greater than the population of the entire city of Calgary. Despite this prevalence, accessing timely and effective treatment services is a challenge for those suffering from addiction. Add the challenge of the societal stigma surrounding addiction, and there are significant barriers to seeking help.
“Recovery is the solution to addiction–and it saves lives,” says Annie McCullough, executive director and co-founder of FAVOR Canada. Established in 2013, FAVOR Canada is dedicated to eradicating the stigma, fostering the development of recovery community organizations, and supporting such activities as Recovery Month.
The first Canadian Recovery Day, organized by McCullough and others, was celebrated in Vancouver and Victoria in September, 2012. This year, celebrations are being planned in 25 Canadian cities throughout the month of September, with activities ranging from rallies to breakfasts to bike rides.
“It is gratifying to see the tremendous energy and support for Recovery Day,” says McCullough. “As we look forward to 2016 and beyond, FAVOR Canada will lead the way in recovery advocacy in this country.”
Adds Ann Dowsett Johnston, bestselling author of Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol and also a founding director of FAVOR Canada: “We’re taking the recovery movement to the streets, joining millions of North Americans in a major coming-out party. What was once hidden is now being celebrated from coast to coast to coast. This is a sea change in the world of addiction recovery.”
For a full list of events planned across Canada, please consult the Recovery Day website www.recoveryday.ca, which also offers useful tools to encourage participation in a wide range of recovery activities.
To learn more about FAVOR Canada and how to join the growing recovery movement, please consult the organization’s website www.facesandvoicesofrecovery. ca or email annmarie@ facesandvoicesofrecovery.ca