The Calgary Dream Centre has always provided help during dark times, but 2020 brought unprecedented challenges—not only for the communities we serve, but for our organization and its supporters as well. We all faced adversity and uncertainty last year, but when The Calgary Dream Centre needed help, the city rallied behind us. Thanks to your […]
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, […]
There is no one right way to stay sober, and tools from mindfulness to faith can help those in recovery. In general, however, the best relapse prevention plan is to create a life worth living. People with hobbies tend to have better physical and mental health, both key components to staying sober. Hobbies provide a […]
You want the best for your child, but sometimes it comes with having a couple of tough conversations while growing up. One of these conversations includes the topic of drugs and alcohol and their effects. At some point in their life, your child will need to face these issues on their own. But with the […]
Managing addiction is a lot more complex and nuanced than simple detoxification. For decades, councilors, psychologists, and psychiatrists have worked on various programs to help people with addictions manage their symptoms so they can achieve the life they want. One of these techniques is known as mindfulness, and mental health experts worldwide have implemented its […]
You Lifted Spirits and Raised HOPE Today my heart is filled with gratitude because of you. Over the last few months, we have felt our community pull together and could not be more thankful. When the COVID-19 pandemic started, our heart broke for businesses that had to close their doors, everyone in recovery who felt […]
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 […]
Living under the burden of addiction is exhausting, discouraging, and frustrating. Unfortunately, for many people, recovery feels just as difficult if not more so. Between fighting cravings, restoring damaged relationships, and all of the other struggles associated with overcoming addiction, people often find that the lifestyle they developed during their addiction does not support their […]
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 […]
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 […]
