Episode 24: Substance Use and Addiction: The Recovery Journey

In this episode of A Way Forward, host Jessica Samuels sits down with CMHA Kelowna CEO Mike Gawliuk to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in mental health: substance use and addiction.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level assumptions to explore what addiction really looks like, why recovery takes time, and what supports are needed to help people move forward.

Key Takeaways

1. Addiction is a chronic, recurring condition

Recovery is not a one-time fix. Relapse can be part of the process, not a failure.

2. Detox is only the beginning

Detox removes substances from the body, but it does not address the underlying causes of addiction.

3. Treatment is a process, not a place

Recovery can take many forms, including outpatient care, day programs, or residential treatment. What works varies by person.

4. Addiction is often rooted in pain

Substance use is frequently a way of coping with trauma or unresolved emotional challenges.

5. There is no “one-size-fits-all” recovery