Ep 19: Virtual Treatment Centres for Drug and Alcohol Addiction with Wanda SmithEp 19: Virtual Treatment Centres for Drug and Alcohol Addiction with Wanda Smith
Mino Bimaadiziwin
What role does Virtual Treatment play in drug and alcohol addiction rehabilitation? A fire four-and-a-half years ago at the Native Horizons Treatment Centre in the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation meant they had to find that out well before COVI...
47:22•6 Jul 2023
Virtual Healing: Wanda Smith on Innovative Addiction Treatment
Episode Overview
- Wanda Smith, the Executive Director for Native Horizons Treatment Center, shares insights into the impact of virtual outreach treatment services for drug and alcohol addiction.
- The episode explores the challenges faced by individuals seeking detox services for alcohol use and the shortage of resources to support their needs.
- Innovative approaches, including virtual smudging, singing, and drumming, are discussed while maintaining a focus on safety and cultural respect.
- The struggles and successes of transitioning to virtual care are highlighted, providing a comprehensive understanding of the role of virtual treatment in addressing addiction and mental wellness.
- The conversation delves into the core issues of trauma and addiction, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to addressing the real underlying challenges.
“The difficulties that people are faced oftentimes show themselves up in relationships, relationships with significant partners, with their children, with families, with community. Some kind of disconnect in the relationship. Yes, a disconnect in the relationship, a disconnect with themselves, which basically is the core of it. I think all of the individuals that have sought assistance, have sought programming, have trauma as its core with the addictions covering up the symptoms. The addiction is just the symptom. The trauma is the real issue.”
Imagine having to rebuild an addiction treatment program from scratch after a devastating fire. That's exactly what happened to the Native Horizons Treatment Centre four-and-a-half years ago. In this episode, host Carol Hopkins sits down with Wanda Smith, the Centre's Executive Director, to discuss how they turned this challenge into an opportunity to innovate with virtual treatment.
Wanda, who has dedicated 45 years to First Nations addiction services, shares her wealth of experience and insights on how virtual care has transformed their approach to helping individuals and communities heal from substance use and related mental health issues. They chat about the unique aspects of virtual outreach, including how cultural practices like smudging, singing, and drumming have been adapted for online platforms.
Wanda also opens up about the hurdles they've faced, such as the shortage of detox resources, and the creative solutions they've implemented to overcome them. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and culturally-sensitive addiction treatment.
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