Healing circle offers help for addictions in Pincher Creek

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Addictions is one reason that women from southwestern Alberta (and some from even as far away as Fort McMurray) find themselves at the Women's Emergency Shelter in Pincher Creek.

"Addictions are pretty high," said shelter Outreach Worker Joni Leclerc.

"I wouldn't say as high as 95 per cent (of the women), it depends on the age group. The younger they are, addictions are more of an issue."

It is not uncomon for women living in abusive relationships to turn to addictions (drugs, gambling, alcoholism, workaholism, or other mechanisms) to block out the pain, said Leclerc. When they're out of the relationship the addiction tends to clear up on its own. However, an abusive partner with an addiction needs to deal with the addiction first before the abuse can end.

One effective way the shelter has found to work with both women and men, who themselves are addicted or who have suffered by association with someone with an addiction, is through a healing circle.

The weekly evening event, while a mandatory program for women staying at the shelter, is also open to the public. There's a core group of four who attend regularly.

With 80 per cent of the shelter's clientele being Aboriginal, the healing circle is a cultural way to help many who are in pain. Elders from the nearby Peigan Nation make the trip weekly to open with prayer and "accommodate the traditional clients," said Leclerc.

She stressed that the healing circle does not replace formal treatment, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or AADAC counselling, but it does serve a purpose.

"I get down to the pain," said Leclerc. "The pain needs to be healed. What's under that addiction is what you need to focus on."

One strength of the healing circle is that everybody involved gets the opportunity to have his or her say. Leclerc pointed out, however, the group did establish as one of its rules the ability to "pass" on the discussion.

"In the healing circle you hear other people's concerns and lives and it gives (participants) a chance to look at their own lives," said Leclerc.

"There's a whole empathy factor here. The atmosphere is laden with it because people have all had very similar situations."

Addictions is only one of the topics dealt with at the healing circle.

Through discussions at the healing circle, Leclerc determines whether a participant needs to deal with an addiction further. If that is the case, she will speak to the participant at a later time and direct her to the necessary resources - if the woman is willing.

The healing circle is a dynamic group, changing according to the needs. But that doesn't necessarily detract from sharing.

"Over the months people will relax into each other so it will become a freer place for them to express themselves," said Leclerc.