DID YOU KNOW: September is Recovery Month in Canada. Since 2012, a network of people in recovery, families, service providers, and entire communities have come together to celebrate RECOVERY

WHY IS RECOVERY DAY IMPORTANT
Thousands of individuals are affected by substances use disorder and may never receive the support they need, leaving hundreds of Canadians to die each month. While there is no cure for addiction, there is a solution. Together we build awareness, challenge societal Stigma, and above all else show our community that recovery is real, attainable and sustainable.

WHAT IS STIGMA
The stigma around substance use is one of the biggest barriers for people seeing and receiving treatment for addiction. Stigma is often displayed in the forms of discriminatory attitudes and beliefs, and behaviours. Stigma is a significant barrier to getting help for those with a substance use disorder, or who have used substances in the past. As a society, the words we use to describe people and their health conditions influence and reflect our attitudes and approaches to helping them. Language evolves and continuously adapts to respond to changes in society’s values and understanding of oppression in our culture.

International studies by the World Health Organization show that people with alcohol and drug use disorders are among some of most stigmatized individuals of all health conditions.

NATIONAL STATISTICS SHOW

3.3 Million people die each year due to the harmful use of Alcohol.
35,000 people die from alcohol and drug use disorders.
Only 14% of people who meet the criteria for a drug use disorder receive
Any treatment for it.

ABOUT RECOVERY DAY WINNIPEG
Recovery Day is a National Movement committed to mobilizing and organizing Canadians in recovery from addiction and addiction related problems. We envision a world in which recovery from addiction is a common and celebrated reality. We are passionate about sharing the faces, voices and stories of recovery in hopes of inspiring and inviting others to join us on the rewarding yet diverse path to wholeness. The Recovery Day Winnipeg Committee and organizers commit to providing a respective, safe space, to celebrate recovery , through organizing and facilitating, Recovery Day events at the Forks .Increasing awareness, sensitivity and reducing the stigma to individuals and their families affected

We Can Help
SRWC is a community based, recovery-oriented recovery centre. We focus on assisting participants in their recovery journey whether it be making a decision to change, accessing a residential treatment centre of their choice, and/or attending our Continuing Recovery Programs learning to live drug free.
The SRWC team of staff and volunteers come from a diverse set of experiences and backgrounds. As unique as we are individually, we share a mutual passion for teaming up with individuals in recovery.
We pride ourselves on being competent, friendly, and non-judgmental.
Support Us
Donate Today – Together we can make a difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by addiction.
Volunteer With Us
We can help you to help others. Your time and commitment will be supported by our comprehensive recovery coach training program so you can gain new skills while making a real and meaningful contribution to your community. If you want to give back or pay it forward, contact us to find out more about our volunteer recruitment and training program.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects around 10 million globally. Its exact cause remains uncertain, though genetics and environment contribute. It’s a key cause of female infertility, with diverse physical and emotional symptoms. Despite the name, not all have ovarian cysts. Insulin inefficiency and excess lead to glucose problems and more androgens. Progesterone imbalance causes irregular periods. PCOS emerges after puberty or in early adulthood and is often undiagnosed due to varied symptoms. Diagnosis requires two of: irregular periods, enlarged ovaries, and excess androgens. Early management, including weight loss, reduces diabetes and heart disease risk.

Biologically (medical definition) Addiction is a “chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequence, and long-lasting changes and damage to major organs of the body, including the brain.”
There are many psychological addictions such as food, gambling, exercising or gaming. The term addiction does not only refer to a dependence on substances such as alcohol, heroin, or cocaine. A psychological addiction is defined as “an inability to stop using a substance or engaging in a behavior even though it may cause psychological or physical harm.”
What Causes A Person To Become Addicted
Addiction is a complex condition that affects a person’s behavior and brain. And while the phrase “addiction” often conjures images of drug abuse and alcoholism, it’s important to remember that addiction can take many forms. From gambling to sex to social media use, addiction can cause harm in several ways.
But what causes someone to become an addict? What makes one person more likely than another to develop an addiction problem? The answer is complicated, and there are no simple explanations for why some people become addicts while others do not. Addiction is multi-faceted with many diverse causes. Research indicates that the following three play a significant role in the onset of addictions.
1. Genetics: Genes can play a significant role in the onset of addiction. People with a first-degree relative (parent, children, sibling), with an addiction problem may have an increased risk and a predisposition to developing an addiction. While there’s still a lot more to learn about the connection between genes and substance use disorder, it’s one of the most common root causes of addiction.
2. Environmental Factors: Environmental factors are also a contributing factor, such as being raised in poverty or experiencing an abusive childhood. Other environmental factors that may affect the onset of substance use include peer pressure, unstable home environment, parents that use drugs, presence of drugs at home, and community influence.
3. Trauma: Childhood experiences may significantly impact a person’s physical and mental health. Traumatic childhood experiences may lead to emotional difficulties such as substance abuse. Examples of traumatic experiences include:
• Physical and/or sexual abuse
• Verbal abuse
• Emotional neglect
• Witnessing violence
• Parental separation or divorce
• Stress-related to military-family life
• Traumatic brain injuries can also cause change within the brain that results in an increased risk of addiction and other symptoms like headaches, memory loss, and sleep problems.

Definitions Of Recovery
“Recovery from addiction and mental health problems is a process of change through which an individual achieves improved health, and wellness” ~ World Health Organization
The Recovery Journey, which encompasses all of these states. It is a “…process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.” “Physical Health, Emotional/Psychological Health”. Spiritual Health” and “Sexual Health” ~ World Health Organization

Acupuncture has shown promising potential in addressing cognitive decline. By improving cerebral blood flow, it enhances oxygen delivery and reduces stress hormones like cortisol while increasing serotonin, dopamine, and acetylcholine—specifically linked to memory. Acupuncture also promotes cholinergic and dopaminergic neural transmission, facilitates neurotrophin signaling and nerve growth factor, and protects cerebral neurons from apoptosis and oxidative damage. Furthermore, it regulates glucose metabolism, suppresses acetylcholinesterase, and decreases levels of amyloid beta proteins in the brain regions associated with cognitive decline. Research suggests that combining acupuncture with drug therapy may be more beneficial for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease than drug therapy alone, highlighting its complementary role in Western medicine.