Men Recovering

Men Recovering Men Recovering coming soon to Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

The role of 'coach' and 'mentor' have long played vital roles in the recovery process, whether formally recognized or no...
03/21/2025

The role of 'coach' and 'mentor' have long played vital roles in the recovery process, whether formally recognized or not. The recent establishment of the titles 'Recovery Coach' and 'Recovery Mentor' over the past 10 (+/-) years highlights the necessity of defining their specific responsibilities and the positive outcomes they facilitate.

Despite being newly defined as professions and titles, research has already begun to look at the impact of coaching and mentorship delivery methods, interventions, and programs.

In a paper published in 2022 (Kang, Kang), research into the efficacy of peer recovery coach (PRC) delivery methods and intervention programs showed positive outcomes "...reduced participants' substance use and enhanced their treatment adherence rates, self-efficacy, quality of life, and stress control.

In a systematic literature review aimed at synthesizing the findings of studies conducted between 2010 and 2024 on the efficacy of recovery coaching in addiction recovery, the paper shared "...the available research on the effectiveness of recovery coaches in addiction recovery underscores their pivotal role in enhancing treatment engagement, reducing acute care utilization, and promoting long-term recovery success (Kibble et al., 2014)."

While more research is essential to clearly understand the impact of these roles on the recovery process, the reality is, that people experiencing addiction are still vastly underserved in our communities. The solution to this problem isn't all that complex - more resources, supportive programming, and trained professionals who are able to provide evidence-based interventions to those who need it.

Hats off to the many who are working tirelessly to support folks break free from addiction with limited resources, lack of government support, and very little recognition. You are carving a path and building a foundation that is absolutely necessary for the success of those you serve. Thank you.

The final introduction to our Advisory Team is...Say hello πŸ‘‹ to Men Recovering's Operational Advisor, Jason Sexsmith  Fo...
03/14/2025

The final introduction to our Advisory Team is...

Say hello πŸ‘‹ to Men Recovering's Operational Advisor, Jason Sexsmith

For over 25 years, Jason has led a career dedicated to brain health within the pharmaceutical industry. Beginning in sales, his commitment to bringing value through education earned him regular awards and accolades, and it was this expertise that he next utilized in various training and coaching roles.

Currently, Jason leads all learning and development initiatives as well as oversees commercial training strategies for Lundbeck Canada, a biopharmaceutical company focusing on brain health and neuroscience. It is this skill set and experience that Jason brings to enhance Men Recovering’s operational efficiencies and effectiveness.

Jason has been privy to the Men Recovering journey from idea generation πŸ’‘to launch πŸš€, and we are lucky to have him in our corner.

Outside of work, Jason is keen to support non-profits and causes that align with his interests and intentions. He’s an avid traveler, dedicated father to his two boys, sports fan (go, Leafs, go!) and participant (shout out to Silverbacks Hockey), and can happily be found in his backyard, on a ski trail, or even his kitchen.

What's your plan?Research in aftercare interventions suggests they are more effective when in longer durations and when ...
03/10/2025

What's your plan?

Research in aftercare interventions suggests they are more effective when in longer durations and when actively engaging individuals.

Men Recovering offers a substantial aftercare program with a program team that is walking the recovery path and knows how challenging life after treatment can be.

Our focus is on four program pillars:
β€’ Psychoeducation (aka shame busting)
β€’ Accessible self-regulation tools
β€’ One on one support from a Recovery Coach and Mentor
β€’ Group/peer support

This is what we know to be true...

πŸ’₯ Recovery is not easy, but it is worth it.

πŸ’₯ Sustainable recovery is ABSOLUTELY possible for you. For real.

πŸ’₯ You deserve to live a life without addiction. You really do.

Recovery is a continuous journey, and you don't have to face it alone. We want to support you.

Link in bio to learn more about the Men Recovering program and to register for our year-long webinar series Leveraging Self-regulation Tools for Addiction Recovery.

Aftercare does not signify the conclusion of treatment or imply that a person is 'cured' or 'healed' - it marks the begi...
03/07/2025

Aftercare does not signify the conclusion of treatment or imply that a person is 'cured' or 'healed' - it marks the beginning of a new (very important) phase in the recovery journey...

Evidence-based research highlights several reasons why aftercare is essential in maintaining recovery, including:

β€’ Supports both the prevention of reoccurrences and decrease in the severity and duration of occurrences
β€’ Continued support and accountability, especially in early stages of recovery
β€’ Skill development, including sustainable coping strategies
β€’ Individualized and tailored care
β€’ Focuses more on the holistic well-being of individuals essential for maintaining recovery

Aftercare is essential care.

Join us for our year-long virtual, donation-based workshop series: Leveraging Self-Regulation Tools for Addiction Recovery.

Upcoming dates: March 10th & March 31st.

To register >> link in bio.

Welp, our first post of 2025! We've been pretty silent on social media as things have been busy over here. We hope every...
02/07/2025

Welp, our first post of 2025! We've been pretty silent on social media as things have been busy over here. We hope everyone has managed to find their footing in this New Year despite the chaos and noise of life. We can't control the things happening outside of us, but we can control our responses and make decisions based on what's best for us, our loved ones, and our community.

We wanted to kick off 2025 with a reminder of our year-long webinar series Leveraging Self-regulation Tools for Addiction Recovery. This is a donation based offering. Everyone is welcome. Come as you are.

Groups have been small, which has provided more opportunities for sharing, asking questions, and engagement with participants.

We are sharing some testimonials from past participants and an individual client.

You know we like to keep it real, so here's a testimonial that didn't make it into a graphic but gave us a chuckle.

"...the tapping was too weird for me. I'm glad I came because I was curious but I won't attend again. I don't think anyone I know wants to tap on their faces even if it does work, so I probably won't recommend this to anyone. Thanks for hosting it, though. It was different."

We are here for the honesty! EFT Tapping isn't everyone's cup of tea or chosen modality, and that's okay. We applaud people who show up and try something new even if it isn't for them in the long run.

Link in bio for more information on the webinar. Or feel free to DM us directly.

Faciliated by Men Recovering's program team, participants will be invited to step outside of their comfort zone and lear...
11/05/2024

Faciliated by Men Recovering's program team, participants will be invited to step outside of their comfort zone and learn new evidence based tools and resources in a supportive environment.

This workshop series is open to anyone around the globe experiencing addiction and/or in any phase of recovery. We are also happy to welcome caregivers and loved ones of individuals experiencing addiction and/or in any phase of recovery. We would also highly encourage folks to join us for more than one session, while the content will not change dramatically between sessions, what you take in and learn will no doubt be different each time.

A note regarding costs and donations: We recognize the importance of offering addiction recovery resources at different price points to ensure accessibility for everyone, regardless of socioeconomic background. By hosting this webinar series in a virtual group format, we aim to provide content and tools in a time- and cost-effective manner. There is no fixed fee for attending the webinar; instead, we encourage you to donate what you can at this time. We kindly ask that you respect the time and effort that has gone into organizing this workshop and arrive ready to participate.

First dates, times, and more detailed information, please view the link in our bio .

Thank you,

Men Recovering Program Team

Say hello πŸ‘‹ to Men Recovering's Cultural Advisor, Ace Lafond. Ace is the perfect combination of wise sage meets creative...
11/04/2024

Say hello πŸ‘‹ to Men Recovering's Cultural Advisor, Ace Lafond.

Ace is the perfect combination of wise sage meets creative mindset with a pinch of standup comedian. We are so very lucky to have him as a recovery advocate and esteemed member of our Advisory Team.

Ace Lafond is a proud member of the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation with maternal roots in Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Alberta. A doting father to his six children and husband to his wife Shayla, Ace is deeply committed to his family and community.

Crediting his late parents for teaching him resilience and self-reliance, Ace experienced hardships and poverty in his youth. Seventeen years ago, he made the choice to get sober, which he sees as a key step toward healing and finding stability. Since then, Ace has embraced a sober lifestyle, finding strength in traditional practices, connecting with family, and nurturing his spiritual well-being.

Ace approaches much of his life with a creative spirit and entrepreneurial drive. In 2011, he successfully launched Ace Hydro-Vac, and recently expanded into other areas of entrepreneurship, emphasizing his passion for arts and cultural leadership. As an internationally recognized photographer, Ace operates Harmony Photography, specializing in fashion photography with a focus on Indigenous models and fashion designers. He also founded Tipi Harmony, a company that produces tipis and offers educational opportunities for individuals or organizations seeking to strengthen their cultural capacity through traditional tipi teachings.

Well versed in group facilitation, teaching, and advising, Ace previously served as a coordinator at Core Neighborhood Youth Co-op and is currently SIIT's cultural coordinator. Ace values sharing his story, assisting others who seek growth and resilience, and imparting his knowledge of what it means to be a healthy First Nations person.

Thank you, Ace, for bringing your wisdom, passion, experience, AND sense of humour to the Men Recovering program. πŸ™πŸ’«βœŒοΈ

πŸ“Έ Supplied by Ace "in his natural habitat" as he likes to say.

Shame does not create permanent, sustainable change. It actually activates our fear response system, which is completely...
10/23/2024

Shame does not create permanent, sustainable change. It actually activates our fear response system, which is completely counterproductive to creating sustainable change. Moreso, consistent and constant feelings of shame can erode a person's mental health and well-being.

You can't hate and shame yourself into change - it's just not going to work in the long run. That approach will probably find you in a cycle of self-hate and destruction you don't want to be in.

Science shows self-compassion and healthy connections are essential in motivation and sustainable change. We must love ourselves enough to change, and surround ourselves with the people who can reinforce all the positive things we know to be true about ourselves and our intentions. Love is the antidote to creating a sustainable life for ourselves we don't need to escape from.

What we find most hopeful and inspiring at Men Recovering is the fact that everyone has the capacity to change. Everyone, including you.

Today is 🌎🧠 World Mental Health Day 🧠🌎 On this day, we would like to spotlight Indigenous Conceptions of Mental Health v...
10/10/2024

Today is 🌎🧠 World Mental Health Day 🧠🌎

On this day, we would like to spotlight Indigenous Conceptions of Mental Health via Mental Health Literacy

"Indigenous conceptions of mental health do not assume a division between mind and body that often frames western beliefs about mental health but, rather, focus on developing an understanding of the body and mind as a whole and how illness is symptomatic of an imbalance between the individual, the society, and the spiritual realm. Mental health includes self-esteem, personal dignity, cultural identity, and connectedness in the presence of a harmonious physical,
emotional, mental, and spiritual wellness."

We believe mental health IS health. End the stigma.

October is AD[H]D Awareness Month. 🧠AD[H]D is a neurodivergent condition that impacts men and women of all ages. While n...
10/09/2024

October is AD[H]D Awareness Month. 🧠

AD[H]D is a neurodivergent condition that impacts men and women of all ages. While neurodivergent conditions manifest differently in each individual for a variety of reasons, there are common experiences, strengths, and struggles many have, including addiction.

Research indicates that children with AD[H]D are at greater risk for addiction in adolescence and adulthood. Longitudinal studies often show a pattern of increased substance use in individuals diagnosed with AD[H]D over time.

There are also shared neurobiological pathways between AD[H]D and addiction - you guessed it, DOPAMINE. Both conditions may involve dysregulation of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in reward and motivation. This commonality may contribute to the higher rates of addiction among those with AD[H]D.

Men Recovering's program team is neuro-affirming and well versed in working with men experiencing both neurodivergence and addiction. It doesn't hurt our team also has lived experience with both.

We know self-regulation plays a significant role in both AD[H]D and addiction, impacting the way individuals manage their behaviors, emotions, and impulses.

When it comes to working at the intersection of neurodivergence and addiction, Men Recovering leverages interventions like psychosomatic/sensory tools to better support emotional regulation and internal safety, while also fostering deeper connections with Self and others.

We believe that all men need to learn tools to regulate their nervous system, especially neurodivergent men, ESPECIALLY neurodivergent men experiencing addiction.

There is very strong evidence supporting the connection between chronic stress and the drive to use addictive substances...
10/07/2024

There is very strong evidence supporting the connection between chronic stress and the drive to use addictive substances (Al'Absi, 2007)

"Research shows that adverse childhood experiences such as physical and sexual abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and family dysfunction are associated with an increased risk of addiction. People with an unhappy marriage, employment dissatisfaction, or harassment also report increased rates of addiction." - Dr. Shahram Heshmat, Psychology Today

What else is clear through research? Self-regulation tools like EFT can interrupt the stress response in the moment, lower cortisol levels, and improve psychological/physiological markers of health and well-being.

Men Recovering is passionate about recovery. We believe sharing self-accessible, self-regulation tools is one of the most important and empowering parts of our program.

We know people can and want to change. Folks can heal their nervous system responses and create alternative safety strategies - they just need the tools, resources, and support to do so. This is our WHY.

Today, Men Recovering, with so many others across Canada acknowledges National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, which is ...
09/30/2024

Today, Men Recovering, with so many others across Canada acknowledges National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, which is also called Orange Shirt Day in recognition of Phyllis Webstad and the movement that arose from her story and experience at St. Joseph Mission Residential School.

We believe today is not just about acknowledgement of the many wrongs done to Indigenous folks/communities by the Church, RCMP, British Crown, Government of Canada and others, but also about taking action. Each of us, no matter background, culture, or race, has a role to play in Reconciliation.

There is a very important document created by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released called 'Calls to Action'. This document outlines 94 Calls to Action, "In order to redress the legacy of residential schools and advanced the process of Canadian reconciliation, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission makes the following calls to action." (TRC)

Men Recovering acknowledges the importance and impact of all 94 Calls to Action but would like to spotlight 18 - 24 (Health), including:

21. We call upon the federal government to provide sustainable funding for existing and new Aboriginal healing centres to address the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual harms caused by residential schools, and to ensure that the funding of healing centres in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories is a priority.

22. We call upon those who can effect change within the Canadian health-care system to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested by Aboriginal patients.

Today is an important day to reaffirm our dedication to Truth & Reconciliation, but also, find opportunities to make a positive impact within those 94 Calls to Action.

Action is what drives progress. Which of the 94 Calls to Action can you focus on for the next 12 months and beyond?

Address

Saskatoon, SK

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 9pm
Tuesday 10am - 9pm
Wednesday 10am - 9pm
Thursday 10am - 9pm
Friday 10am - 9pm
Saturday 10am - 9pm
Sunday 10am - 9pm

Telephone

+13062912589

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