Melissa Deschamps struggled with an opioid addiction for seven years.
Her first step toward recovery was the methadone maintenance program; she’s been successfully off that program for more than 26 months.
Deschamps shared her story Tuesday afternoon at the Italian Cultural Centre for Recovery in Focus: Understanding Opioid Dependence and Recovery. The event, presented by the city’s Drug Awareness Committee, aimed to raise awareness of opioid addiction.
Deschamps talked about her struggle and when she decided to change her life.
“I have a child, so my way of thinking is more rational. Rather than just worrying about myself, I have somebody else I need to worry about. It basically got me on the straight path,” she said.
Addiction can happen to anybody and it’s a reality Deschamps feels people need to be more open-minded about.
And for those struggling with addiction, there is help, she said.
Along with treatment facilities and counselling services, Deschamps said Ontario Works provided her with an addictions worker, which was a big help for her.
“There are a lot of resources out there. Just ask,” she said.
Thunder Bay Drug Strategy coordinator Cynthia Olsen said opioid addiction is one of their priority areas as Thunder Bay has a higher than average rate of opioid prescriptions.
“We also know we have higher rates of overdose deaths in Ontario,” she said. “The other issues is the general public sometimes has a misunderstanding about treatment options.”
Olsen said through the event the committee wants to shed more light on the benefits of methadone clinics and Suboxone treatments to the community as well as individuals.
Recovery in Focus was funded by the Thunder Bay Community Foundation.
For more information see www.thunderbaydrugstrategy.ca.
