{"podcast":{"title":"A Way Forward: Conversations on Mental Health","slug":"a-way-forward-conversations-on-mental-health-7020455","podcast_index_feed_id":7020455,"rss_url":"https://feeds.transistor.fm/a-way-forward","website_url":"https://www.cmhakelowna.com/","image_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/5ebm71qBk-O9948dzh1sPVYqWYZH913Xh1pDAn3_oK8/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hNWFi/YzQzMGQyMmY4ZmQ5/ZDEzNjI0ODIxOGYz/ZDc1My5qcGc.jpg","author":"CMHA Kelowna","episode_count":29,"summary":"A Way Forward podcast, presented by Beem Credit Union, examines the challenges that can wear down our individual and collective mental health. Host Jessica Samuels focusses on the stressors, the core issues and contributing factors, and the approaches and practices that can help address these issues. Listeners will leave feeling they have the information and tools to better manager their well-being and able to find...a way forward.","last_synced_at":null,"page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/a-way-forward-conversations-on-mental-health-7020455"},"episode":{"title":"Episode 24: Substance Use and Addiction: The Recovery Journey","slug":"episode-24-substance-use-and-addiction-the-recovery-journey","published_at":"2026-04-15T17:39:07+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/a-way-forward-conversations-on-mental-health-7020455/episode-24-substance-use-and-addiction-the-recovery-journey","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/a-way-forward-conversations-on-mental-health-7020455","url":"https://awayforwardpodcast.transistor.fm/24","audio_url":"https://media.transistor.fm/801c3106/206ed386.mp3","summary":"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 For some, recovery means abstinence. For others, it may involve reduced use, stronger coping skills, or rebuilding stability in life. The Four Pillars of Substance Use Response Mike highlights a widely recognized framework for addressing substance use: · Prevention – Early intervention and education, especially for youth · Harm Reduction – Keeping people safe and alive while building connection · Treatment – Access to care across a continuum of needs · Enforcement – Addressing supply and public safety concerns Each plays a role. None works in isolation. System Gaps Identified · Lack of seamless transitions between detox, treatment, and recovery · Limited access to supportive, recovery-focused housing · Insufficient early prevention and intervention funding · Fragmented care systems that make conti…","meta_description":"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 ment…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2063,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/a-way-forward-conversations-on-mental-health-7020455/episodes/episode-24-substance-use-and-addiction-the-recovery-journey/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/a-way-forward-conversations-on-mental-health-7020455/episode-24-substance-use-and-addiction-the-recovery-journey.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}