Coaches deployed to help addicts on path to recovery

The Alberta Addiction Service Providers Association received nearly $1 million to train and deploy recovery coaches in Calgary.

Recovery coaches will engage with people where they are at their most vulnerable. In and around city parks, shelters, hospital emergency rooms, city jails and correctional facilities are places recovery coaches will be deployed.

“Recovery coaches will use their lived experience to meet people where they are and provide guidance and inspiration throughout a person’s recovery. Alberta’s Recovery Plan is helping everyday Albertans by ensuring that everyone has access to treatment and recovery when they’re ready.”Mike Ellis, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

The recovery coaching program will train people who are in long-term recovery to help other Albertans struggling with addiction get well. This could include finding a sponsor, supporting treatment options and finding connections to community partners that help with housing, employment and more.

A mixture of professional and volunteer coaches will begin engaging with the community in October. The goal is to expand the program throughout the province in the coming years.

“Recovery coaches will be a visible presence in the community, making sure that those struggling see an example of what can be accomplished and engaging when and where it’s needed. Recovery is possible for everyone, and with the right support we should expect nothing less.”Steve Gaspar, executive director, Recovery Coaching Program

“The Alberta Addiction Service Providers Association represents over 30 detox, treatment, harm reduction, peer supportive housing and recovery operators in Alberta, and we are proud to champion the recovery coach program. Recovery coaches will help countless Albertans by providing the support they need to enter and maintain recovery.”Kim Turgeon, co-chair, Alberta Addiction Service Providers Association

Alberta’s recovery plan is helping everyday Albertans access life-saving prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery resources. A $140-million investment over four years is supporting the addition of new publicly funded treatment spaces; the elimination of daily user fees for publicly funded residential addiction treatment; and services to reduce harm, such as the Digital Overdose Response system (DORS), the introduction of nasal naloxone kits and the expansion of opioid agonist therap