In vibrant Calgary, a beacon of hope shines through the altruistic work carried out by the volunteers in our city. Calgary is a place where individuals can donate their time and skills to make a meaningful impact on people facing adversity. Volunteering in Calgary isn’t just about giving back; it’s about being part of a […]
Category: How to Help
Calgary Dream Centre Summer Newsletter
Celebrating Fathers’ on the road to recovery Dear Friend, Father’s Day is just two days away and we are getting ready to honour and celebrate our residents who are fathers. We serve over 250 men at one time at the Calgary Dream Centre(CDC), and many of those individuals are fathers. The road to recovery is […]
Calgary Dream Centre Winter Newsletter
A Message of Warmth From our Executive Team Dear Friend, Spring is right around the corner and we can’t wait to see all the beauty it has to offer. As we transition from one season to another, I often am reminded of the importance of each season. Winter is a season that can be quiet […]
How to Help Someone with Addiction Get Treatment
There is more to addiction than substance abuse. It is a disease that slowly develops through long-term changes to the brain, accelerated by mental health problems like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Once addiction takes hold of someone you love, it can be a very difficult process to break through the habits and rediscover the person […]
How to Help Prevent a Former Addict from Relapsing
It is undeniably challenging to support a loved one as they navigate recovery—whether it’s your friend, parent, sibling, child, or another relationship. We know how emotionally draining it can be when you spend so much energy just wanting them to be okay. It’s especially difficult when you’re unsure of the resources available to you or […]
How You Can Give Back This Holiday Season
What Does Giving Back Mean? As the weather gets colder, many individuals struggling with homelessness or addiction face a new set of challenges. Although the holidays are thought to bring a sense of joy and cheer, they can be incredibly stressful for many. For those who have the means to give back to our community, […]
Knowing the Signs of Relapse
What is Addiction? Addiction is a powerful disease that, according to the last Canadian Alcohol and Drug Use Monitoring Survey in 2012, affects an estimated 21.6% of the Canadian population. This number means that over 8 million people meet the criteria for a substance abuse disorder. The dangers of addiction are taxing on individuals, their […]
Loving Someone With Addiction
Addiction can affect more than one person; friends and family can often be swept into a very challenging situation when helping a loved one with an addiction. However, it’s important to realize that, even in the hardest of moments, you can still help those who need it with a little bit of patience, love, and […]
Connecting While Socially Distancing: How the Calgary Dream Centre Handles Recovery During COVID-19
If you spend any reasonable amount of time in our building, you’ll hear a saying. “The opposite of addiction is not sobriety. It’s connection.” Connection is vital. We are social beings. When someone does not have the opportunity to bond with health connections (family, friends, communities, etc.), they often bond with unhealthy behaviours or substances […]
COVID-19 Update: Implementing a Stronger Response
To our Community, I would like to provide an update as we continue to modify our response to the rapidly-evolving landscape regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last few days, all levels of government have started to take aggressive measures to combat the spread of the virus. As the safety of our community is still […]