Talk Recovery Radio

This Week on Talk Recovery Radio Lester Morse joins the show, Lester is the director of Rehabs UK and East Coast Recovery, an online tool to help people access addiction treatment services. Joined by Lester, Sojna Pewter tells her story of addiction recovery. Tune in on Talk Recovery Radio's Facebook live event, Thursday 12-1pm PST. Talk Recovery airs every Thursday from 12-1pm PST on 100.5 fm Co-op Radio.

About Lester

Lester has worked in addiction treatment for over 30 years. He founded a sober living project in Watford for 9 years before opening a 45-bed residential rehab in Suffolk for 15 years. He is currently the director of East Coast Recovery online and RehabsUK. Lester's projects & community programmes have countless success stories!

Rehabs UK and East Coast Recovery

Rehabs UK is a free and confidential addiction recovery support service. Partnered with a broad range of trusted clinics throughout the UK and in Europe, the Rehabs UK team work to find the best possible match for each individual at the beginning of their recovery journey.

East Coast Recovery opened its doors on the peaceful Suffolk coast in 2001 and since that time we have supported thousands of people and their families into recovery. Our residential side of the company closed its doors at the end of May 2022. Due to the pandemic and thousands of people turning to the online world we made the move to create an online rehab programme which enables more people than ever before to get the help they need. We are not only an online rehab but our treatment advisors work collaboratively with our sister company, Rehabs UK, who can help to direct individuals to the right residential rehabilitation center.

Rehab UK and East Coast Recovery Social Media Pages

Rehab UK

Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Website

East Coast Recovery

Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Website

Sonja's Story

Sonja Pewter used Class A drugs for nearly two decades and has been to HMP approximately 13 times for various offences from shop lifting to street robberies. Her last sentence was long enough for her to have the opportunity to think about what she wanted from her life and is where her journey into new beginnings started. Sonja left HMP for last time on the 4th of February 2006 and went to treatment where she lasted 9 days before being introduced to Lester. Sonja joined a mature AA fellowship in Watford whom she is forever grateful to and although she ended up using a couple of times from February 2006 to October 2006, she still attended meetings, got herself a sponsor and started working through the steps. She has been clean since October 1st 2006 and continues to be actively involved in 12 step fellowships and has been in employment since getting clean. Sonja was ECR's Recovery Centre Manager working alongside Lester before leaving in June 2022 to begin a new adventure back in her old home town, Southend. She has bought her own house, gained her level 5 in Leadership and Management along with other studies and training. Sonja has been all around the world on lovely holidays and her relationships – daughter included are better than she ever imagined.

This week on Talk Recovery Radio

This week on Talk Recovery Radio we welcome Joel Soper author of "Never Enough Zeroes" He joins us to talk about his memoir and share his personal story of recovery from gambling addiction. Catch the show on Facebook Live Thursday at 12-1pm PST on Talk Recovery Radio, also catch Talk Recovery Radio weekly on 100.5fm co op Radio.

Never Enough Zeroes

About the book: When Joel Soper placed his first "sure thing" bet at the Detroit Race Course back in 1987, he never imagined that such an innocent gesture might lead him down the path to gambling addiction. But now, after tossing millions of dollars into the bonfire of unfulfilled dreams, Joel is stepping out of the shadows to bare his soul about the realities of compulsive sports betting. Never Enough Zeroes is an unflinching and searing portrayal that exposes the all-too-human foibles of a man trapped on the treadmill of obsession. Co-author Philip Wyeth captures the essence of Joel's tortured existence by telling his unforgettable life story with compassion, humor, and literary flair. The result is a memoir that will touch readers from all backgrounds as it throws a lifeline to anyone caught in the relentless undertow of addiction who also dreams of creating a better version of themselves. "I've made millions of dollars with my silver tongue, but it always just slips through my fingers..." As more states legalize gambling across the nation, Joel's story is an especially timely warning about this scourge where losses often extend beyond money into broken relationships and mental health issues.

The proliferation of live betting has the potential to turn a generation of unwitting sports fans into nothing more than rats frantically tapping their phone screens for the next dopamine rush. This book is a call to action! It raises a banner of hope amid a sea of desperation, and signals the start of a new alliance which is weaving a safety net so that addicts of all stripes might never hit rock bottom again. As Joel continues his difficult journey as a "work in progress," he hopes that Never Enough Zeroes will be a worthy addition to the self-help canon, as well as a companion piece to the mental health professional's bookshelf.

About the Author

Joel Soper grew up in Livonia, Michigan, the youngest of four siblings. After graduating from Western Michigan University he moved to San Diego, California. For nearly three decades Joel has run some of the most successful residential landscaping businesses across Southern California. He currently lives in Los Angeles.

This week on Talk Recovery Radio we welcome Samir Baksh director of marketing for FAYYR which is a organization that supports charities, non-profit organizations and humanitarian causes through NFT fundraisers. Second on the show to join Samir is Alex O an artist in recovery, and Alex will share his story of recovery from addiction and how art helped Alex in his journey. Catch it all on our Facebook live video on Talk Recovery Radio Facebook page. Also on 100.5fm noon-1pm PST.

FAYYR

Our Purpose

We believe that everyone has a role in making the world a better place. Our vision is to empower global participation in supporting social good using emerging blockchain technology. To this end, we have created a platform that connects charities, artists, and their supporters to the crypto economy and to each other. Fayyr was created to support charities, non-profit organizations and humanitarian causes through NFT fundraisers. A non-fungible token, or NFT, is a unique digital asset that is stored on a cryptocurrency blockchain. Fundamentally, a blockchain is a digital database used for recording transactions that is distributed throughout a network of computers to keep information and assets safe. We use the NEAR blockchain because it is fast, cheap, and climate neutral.

Our Story

Our small, dedicated team has worked hard during the pandemic to make our vision a reality. While we're driven by this vision, we have also had a lot of practical challenges to face. Unsurprisingly, this has meant enormous dedication, as well as learning all kinds of new technical tools, methods, processes, and underlying technologies. Luckily, this is exactly what we love to learn about, so while we're working hard, we're having a blast doing it! To accomplish our goal, we've leveraged our many complementary skills. We range from seasoned software veterans, to enthusiastic top of the class students; from mathematical gurus to marketing masters and everything else in between. We love sports, music, art, books, movies, video games, and hanging out with friends. We're a bunch of keeners, and a bunch of campers, but you would probably find that at most startups. What keeps us going is our collective vision to support charities while celebrating digital art. It's what we're all about.

Personal Story

Alex O is an artist in recovery, Alex will join Talk Recovery to talk about his story of recovery from his addiction and how Art has helped him in his journey. Catch Alex on the radio and Facebook live this Thursday from 12:30-1:00pm.

This week on Talk Recovery Radio

This week on Talk Recovery Radio we welcome Wendi Friesen, Wendi is a speaker, Author, Corporate Training. Since 1994, Expert in Hypnosis, Mindfulness and NLP. Join us on 100.5fm every Thursday from noon-1pm PST, or on Talk Recovery Radio's Facebook Live.

About Wendi

I am worldwide leader in creating rapid change for life's difficult problems. Since 1994 my site at Wendi.com has influenced the lives of millions worldwide and brought insight, wisdom and spiritual growth to people in need. I can help you.

I am often described by my colleagues as a powerful healer, teacher and a creative marketing expert, and they tell me I am one of the most loved transformational trainers in the world.

As a flat broke single mother of two, with no resources, money, help or partners, I created a transformation business for devoted followers who seek real change.

My work caught the attention of the media and I quickly became an authority on how to make rapid and massive change in your mind, body and spiritual life.

Wendi.com grew to experience millions in sales in a short time, reaching the hearts and minds of people who understood how her sincerity and passion could transform their lives. Wendi has created over 300 programs on audio and Video that will teach you how to really use your brain! The programs lead you through a process of changing your brain's neural networks, the chemicals of depression, and the habitual and compulsive thoughts that prevent them from being happy. I've been called a miracle worker and have helped doctors who refer their patients to me to do what they might consider impossible. My work with the medical hypnosis has freed people from chronic pain, ended debilitating phobias, released the effects of PTSD, ended the torture of relentless migraines, and cured many so called incurable conditions.

It is remarkable what the mind can do when given the right stuff. My recorded programs use powerful therapy that rewires the neural pathways in the brain and results in amazing outcomes. I am committed to breaking new ground in the treatment of addiction. After numerous frustrating attempts to help my son with years of addiction, I created a powerful program that is based on the new science of how the brain can be changed through meditation, hypnosis, NLP and energetic methods.

Everything that you experience affects your ability to be effective, happy, motivated and successful. Life is full of ups and downs and how you manage your experiences will determine how you react to new experiences in your life. You can be devastated by an event or empowered and determined. My experience with hypnosis has taught me how to shift the way the brain reacts and how I respond to life's experiences.

Wendi's Website | Wendi's Facebook |Wendi's Twitter

WHAT IS NEXT?

I am on a mission to change the way the world treats addiction. The crisis of addiction is one I take personally. My success in helping those who've lost hope is proof that I can change the minds, hearts and lives of addicts and their families. It is not enough to just end your addiction, it is about building a valuable and exciting life and restoring your heart and soul. Locking someone in a treatment center for 30 days and driving them to AA meetings does nothing to change the emotional, mental and physical destruction that an addict endures. Loving family members have few choices when seeking a treatment that creates deep and lasting change. I am training therapists, counselors and addiction centers to use powerful methods that they can implement in their centers.

Canada's Largest Addiction and Mental Health Recovery Day Festival. This Saturday Recovery Day BC – 10th Anniversary Noon to 6 pm, September 10th New Westminster BC.

Addiction Recovery Festival Festival Program 6th and 6th Stage Program 12:00– 1:00 Eagle Eyes – Eagles tribute band

2:00 – 3:00 Busty and the Bass

3:30 – 4:30 Snotty Nose Rez Kids

5:00 – 6:00 Tom Cochrane

Kids Stage at 5th Av and 6th street

12:00 – 12:15 Will's Jams Opening

12:15 – 1:00 Penny Pom Pom

1:00 – 1:10Cosmo Circus

1:30 – 2:15 Karima Essa – Bollywood Star Workshop

2:15 – 2:25 Cosmo Circus

3:00 – 3:45 Fred Penner

4:00 – 4:50 Will's Jam

4:50 – 5:00 Cosmo Circus

5:05 – 6:00 themagicguy.ca Gary Savard Kids Zone Korki Clown, facepainters, clowns, balloon artists, the Fun GymBus, LEGO TENT, Tumble City Cheer Parkour Gymnastics, Lollipop the Bubble Clown, COCO the parrot, and so much more. Adventure Zone Rock Climbing Wall Virtual Reality Experience Axe Throwing

BC Addiction Recovery Association Stage 12:00 Bungalow

1:15 Will Clements

2:30 Amber Tsang

3:35 Tess Anderson

5:00 Sugar Fungus Plus 2 more stages

My Uptown New West Stage features – Cakewalk Dance Band & Djs 5th St and 6th Ave Stage Royal City Swing Over 200 Vendor Spaces Booked

What is happening at Recovery Day?

Food Trucks Artisans Mental Health and Addiction Service Providers Adventure Zone with Rock Climbing, Virtual Reality Pods, Swing Dancing, and Axe Throwing Kids Zone with Facepainters, Clowns, Magicians, Balloon Art Overdose Memorial Tree to honour those lost too soon 4 Music Stages Recovery Day BC in New Westminster has become one of the world's largest events celebrating recovery and raising awareness that recovery from addiction and mental health issues is possible. See you on September 10th, 2022 in the Uptown New West Neighborhood at 6th and 6th.

Talk Recovery Radio

This week on Talk Recovery Radio we welcome Colleen Allan to the show, Colleen is the executive director of St. Raphael Wellness Centre and has been teaching a course about Gender Differences of Alcohol Effects on Women for many years now. Colleen is joined by two women who will share their story of recovery with us as well. 3 guests one full hour on Talk Recovery Radio, catch it all on our Facebook page LIVE noon-1pm PST every Thursday or on Co-op Radio 100.5fm.

Alcohol Effects on Women

There has been widespread acceptance by the scientific community of alcohol's effect on women, particularly the vulnerability of developing breast cancer, and the highest risk of reoccurrence, for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite the fact that it is well documented in the literature and has been reported in two expose's two years running by the CBC's National News, there seems to be no recognition that women should be given this information. It has been recommended that warning labels similar to those on cigarette packages that have been instituted by some European countries. About

Elysia 41 years old, married no kids. Volunteer at SRWC, doing reception, outreach and intakes. Problem drinking started at about 30 years old and progressed full on alcohol dependency at 35. Sober 3 years this September. September, 2019, I was hospitalized with acute liver failure and cellulitis. I was given approximately 6 months to live without a liver transplant, but once the alcohol consumption stopped, my health gradually improved to the point where I am no longer in need of a liver transplant. I did, however suffer long term effects from the alcohol. I have moderate to severe alcoholic neuropathy in my feet and legs that make both standing or sitting for any extended period of time a problem. This is a marked improvement from three years ago, however, as initially, I was unable to walk without a walker or get up or down without assistance. I am also now peri-menopausal which takes away any option of having children.

About Taylor

My name is Taylor, I was diagnosed with end stage liver cirrhosis at the age of 28 in 2019. I had never heard of cirrhosis before, I knew alcohol from an early age wasn't "good" for you and had plenty of talks growing up about how bad smoking, drugs, pills, etc. are but never really alcohol. Alcohol always seemed normal to me, it's all around you. Especially these days, I find it's around everywhere. I see it in nail salons, hair salons, weird places you wouldn't normally see it. When I was diagnosed, it was explained to me and my parents from what I can remember, but I didn't really have a guide on how to handle what was happening to me. I remember just being really confused and didn't really know what to do with it all, or cared really at that point, that's where my brain was at. I was confused, scared, lost. When I was at my worst with my battle with cirrhosis, I had every symptom possible on the list when you google it, except for the coma part, and coming back out of the hospital and into reality was really hard for me. I was using alcohol to escape from trauma, and to protect myself from a lot of things from my past. I didn't know what to do with all of this, that's when my auntie just took me to SRWC one day, and without knowing it was going to happen, as the more I attended, the better I started to slowly feel. They gave me a place to go when I didn't think anyone else would understand what I was going through, I felt safe there immediately. I started doing 1:1 sessions with a counselor and when I got confident enough, which was something they also helped me build, because I had zero when I walked in those doors, I started to attend group sessions. I felt accepted by the other women in my group, I felt accepted by my counselors, and everyone else that worked at SRWC.

This week on Talk Recovery Radio Jeanette Yoffe executive director of the Celia Centre joins the show to talk about adoption, abandonment and mental health addiction recovery, then followed by Rebekah G a woman in Recovery with over 8 years clean shares her story of recovery from addiction. Catch it all on our Facebook page LIVE. #NewWestRecovery.

About Jeanette Yoffe

Jeanette Yoffe, M.A., M.F.T., is the Executive Director and Founder of Celia Center. This is a support center that meets the critical needs of all those connected by Foster Care and Adoption. It supports those who serve the community in Los Angeles and beyond via support groups, mental health conferences, wolf healings, and art festivals. She is the clinical director of Yoffe Therapy, which provides psychotherapy to children, teens, and their families, treating attachment, trauma, grief, and loss challenges. She has been in the field for over 20 years.

She has worked as a psychotherapist, foster care social worker, clinical director, trainer for Los Angeles Child and Family Services, Department of Mental Health for parents, social workers, and therapists on adoption & foster care challenges, parenting, the impact of pre-adoption trauma, grief/loss, open adoption. She supports adult adoptees searching for extended lost family members and assists in reunions and family reunification. She was awarded the Foster Care Hero Award for her dedication to children and families in foster care in Los Angeles. Yoffe's desire to become a therapist with a particular focus on adopted and foster care issues derived from her own experience of being adopted and moving through the foster care system in New York. Adoption and Abandonment It's important to acknowledge that all adoption starts with some form of loss. It's the invisible wound of adoption.

7 CORE ISSUES: rejection, guilt, shame, grief, identity and intimacy challenges, the distinctions – or battle – between implied identity and imposed identity, mastery and control. There's difficulty with trust because their very first most significant relationship was severed, often traumatically. That inherited abandonment can often translate to a heightened sensitivity to rejection and feeling abandoned. There's tremendous vulnerability, difficulty forming trusting relationships. "Am I good enough?" There's an acute sense of alienation because they have become disenfranchised from their ancestral tribe: "Where did I come from? Who am I?" I often say we're not adoptees, we're adoptees. Often, I have found in my work with adoptees that there is a deep feeling of inner turmoil, disconnection, low self-worth, and overwhelming fear and anxiety. I believe what leads my adopted or fostered clients into addiction or compulsive behavior often stems from the suppression of inner pain. Sometimes this is a pain recognized, but sometimes this buried pain is not recognized and is a disenfranchised grief, that society doesn't recognize as valid. But it is. Adoptees need to be encouraged to grieve. Substance abuse can be thought of as an attempt at a solution to the inner turmoil rather than the cause of it, as it can help to numb pain and keep it lodged within. The problem with this is that keeping the pain blocked prevents us from experiencing the growth we need to become our best selves

About Rebekah G

A member of the New Westminster recovery community, Bekah G. has been clean for 8.5 years and is a graduate of Westminster House Recovery Center for Women. She knows that she can only keep what she has by giving it away; Bekah serves as the secretary of her homegroup, sponsors women from the community and is on the fundraising committee for the 47th PNWCNA, to be held in October 2024. Bekah is an educator who loves babies, building community and feasting with friends.

This week on Talk Recovery Radio Author, motivational speaker, recovery coach podcaster and founder of "Life is Wonderful" Hugo Vrsalovic joins the show for the full hour. Catch it all on Talk Recovery's Facebook page here.

About Hugo Hugo Vrsalovic is the founder of Life Is Wonderful. Hugo V. has met difficult challenges in his life that allows him to relate to people who are dealing with similar struggles. With over 20 years in recovery from gambling and alcohol along with being in therapy for 7 years, he truly believes that 12 Step meetings, therapy, and retreats work. Hugo V. is the son of immigrant parents and is fluent in Spanish. His family history is of Bolivian and Croatian background. Hugo V. has graduated with an MBA from Rice University, BBA from The University of Texas at Austin, and graduated from Strake Jesuit College Preparatory. He is a DTM Toastmaster. About Life is Wonderful Life Is Wonderful is a business that focuses on empowering people who are struggling with addiction by using methods of honest self-awareness. Self-awareness is defined as one's conscious knowledge of character, motives, desires, and feelings. Life Is Wonderful believes people who struggle with addiction and other matters such as family issues and spirituality can seek help only if they have the desire to do so.

The founder of Life Is Wonderful, Hugo Vrsalovic, has created a unique twist on "The 12 Steps" called "The 12 Steps - Explained," which explains each step in a different way, hoping to get people to understand the Steps and become grateful for the Steps since the Steps can transform lives and help you be content. The 12 Steps involve having honest self-reflection, having positive support, making positive changes, and maintaining that positive change.

Life Is Wonderful has a goal of transforming the lives of people who are struggling with addiction and life by practicing self-awareness. ​The founder, Hugo Vrsalovic, is the motivational public speaker for Life Is Wonderful and connects with audiences to help them think, feel, and see differently on life struggles. Hugo Vrsalovic uses personal experiences, humor, and scientific knowledge to make an impact. He speaks at middle schools, high schools, corporations, universities, and recovery centers. Currently, he is writing an audiobook. ​

This week on Talk Recovery Radio we welcome two amazing guests, first on the show is Vancouver drag sensation Kendall Gender to talk about Untoxicated 2022 which is coming home to New Westminster at New West Pride this Saturday. Second on the show is Victoria H yoga teacher and person in recovery who will tell us her personal story of how yoga helped save her life. Catch it all on Facebook live this Thursday at 12pm PST. Kendall Gender

As a performer, host, model and LGBTQIA2S+ activist, Kendall Gender is a bonafide Canadian drag sensation. With grassroots in Vancouver, she has performed coast to coast since 2014 and shows no signs of slowing down.

Kendall is best known for being on season 2 of Canada's Drag Race, where she placed in the top 3. She is also known for being the queer ambassador for Fairmont Hotels, a member of infamous drag group 'BRATPACK' and a past winner of elite drag competition "Vancouver's Next Drag Superstar" in 2017. She was also elected as the "Empress of Vancouver" and raised over $25,000 for various charities as a part of the Dogwood Monarchist Society. In 2020 she was also the first drag performer to do a halftime performance at the Rugby 7's game, performing for a crowd of 50,000 people.

As a biracial artist, Kendall started the show 'VISIBLE' which is designed as a platform to raise money and awareness for visible minorities. In 2020, the events moved digital and raised over $9,000 for Black Lives Matter during a single event.

Kendall has been cast in the lead role of an upcoming film called "Stay", playing the character Kaleb /Ivy Diamonds. The film is set to release in fall 2022.

Always dressed to the nines and known for her explosive and high-energy performances that radiate positivity and ooze sex appeal, Kendall is a powerhouse that continues to leave audiences wanting more as her star continues to rise.

Kendall's Social Media

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Untoxicated 2022

Last Door's Clean Sober Proud initiative invites EVERYONE to substance-free spaces during Pride Season, people in recovery, recovery allies, sober curious people and anyone who wants to be part of is welcome to celebrate with us.

Dance with us at our highly anticipated UNTOXICATED Street festival.

This year the anticipated Untoxicated festival is coming home to New West in partnership with the New West Pride

These activities help foster healthy relationships for the LGBTQ2s+ Community while connecting people to Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services.

Thank you to the thousands of volunteers and the thousands of supporters over the years that have helped this initiative grow.

Where: Outside of Anvil Centre, New Westminster, BC

When: 3-8pm August 13th, 2022

Yoga and Addiction Recovery

The second half of the show hear Victoria's personal story of addiction and recovery and how yoga helped save her life.

Recovery and yoga have saved my life. When in front of a class it is important to me to be authentic, with a non-judgmental teaching style and compassion-centered philosophy, adding in my sense of humor to make it fun. I encourage growth of the physical and spiritual, weaving yoga into the recovery process. This is my passion, and I am so happy to have found it.

Talk Recovery Radio This week on Talk Recovery Radio we have 2 amazing guests. First on the show we welcome Bruce Rosenberg, co founder of Rosenberg Law, Bruce has made a name for himself in the area of healthcare fraud litigation defense. Second on the show is Steven Hall, a person in long term recovery sharing his personal story of recovery from addiction. Catch it all on Facebook Live on Talk Recovery's Facebook page. About Bruce Rosenberg

Bruce Rosenberg is a founding partner of Rosenberg Law, P.A. With over 30 years of experience litigating in New York and Florida, Mr. Rosenberg now concentrates his practice in healthcare regulatory compliance and civil racketeering litigation. He has successfully litigated a wide array of cases on behalf of healthcare professionals and businesses. Mr. Rosenberg also frequently advises other general practice and criminal attorneys on issues of corporate compliance, HIPAA privacy compliance, contracts, medical staff issues, and billing issues.

Before specializing in healthcare law, Mr. Rosenberg represented insurance companies in subrogation cases and with defense issues. This experience allows him to serve healthcare providers more efficiently and effectively. His working knowledge includes complex commercial litigation, acquisitions, assignments, joint ventures, partnerships, civil defense of banking and leasing institutions as well as banking compliance.

Mr. Rosenberg is an active member of the Sarasota Bar Association. He also currently serves on the Florida Bar Technology Committee.

Rosenberg Law Socials

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Website

DRUG ADDICTION/SUBSTANCE ABUSE REHAB COVERAGE

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) eliminated addiction from the list of preexisting conditions, thus ensuring health insurance coverage for alcohol and drug rehabilitation services; this is because the ACA sought to improve access to medical health services during a time of rising widespread mental health issues.

The ACA classified addiction treatment as an "essential medical benefit".

Pursuant to the ACA, insurance plans cover addiction evaluation and treatment medication, alcohol and drug testing, anti-craving medication, clinic and home health visits, family counseling, certain interventions, and medical detox programs. Plans obtainable through the Health Insurance Marketplace provide varying degrees of coverage for rehabilitation–60% for Bronze plans, 70% for Silver plans, 80% for Gold plans, and 90% for Platinum plans.

As a result, the ACA makes addiction treatment more affordable and allows patients to select a greater range of rehabilitation services. However, inpatient programs may be excluded by ACA/public plans. Since the passage of the ACA, private plans offer varying levels of coverage for rehabilitation. State laws that regulate private plans typically require insurance providers to cover substance abuse treatment and other mental health rehab services.

Though costlier than public insurance, private insurance ordinarily provides more options for treatment coverage than public plans, especially for alcohol and drug addiction rehab. However, some private plans do not cover substance abuse rehab, which makes public plans more favorable in those circumstances. Note that the difference between drug addiction and substance abuse–substance abuse is using a substance in a way not intended or more often/in higher amounts than necessary, while addiction is a chronic illness in which a person experiences neurochemical changes causing psychological dependence on a drug.

OFF-LABEL PRESCRIPTIONS Insurance companies can sometimes deny coverage when physicians prescribe drugs–this occurs when the prescription is for an ailment omitted from the label, meaning that though the drug treats the ailment for which the drug has been prescribed, the drug was not specifically approved for treating said ailment.

Although the practice of off-label prescriptions is lawful and happens all the time, insurance providers deny coverage, except in limited circumstances where physicians provide convincing peer-reviewed research in favor of their prescription.

Even in cases where a physician can convincingly provide backing for the off-label prescription, insurance companies may deny coverage at their discretion.

Steven's Personal Story

Steven made his way down from the West Kootenays to a residential treatment center in the lower mainland, he completed a 12-step based program which was 60 days in duration. Once he completed the program, he began to volunteer at the treatment facility and today is an employee there. His own experience and struggles with addiction and mental health, coupled with working in the field, has given Steven fresh perspectives on the impact addiction has had on his community, friends, family, and himself. By entering recovery, Steven was able to stabilize on medications, receive counselling and build a strong support network of friends and professionals that help him daily to overcome his own struggles. Steven is a strong believer that there is hope in recovery and a strong community of like-minded individuals can bring a solution to British Columbia's growing substance misuse epidemic and overdose crisis. By creating more safe spaces in our community that provide access to professional mental and physical health care services, Steven believes everyone is capable and worth recovery from addiction.