'We're not alone': Recovery Day held for 4th time in Edmonton
'I think it’s important that people in recovery get together and talk and realize that they’re not alone'
On Sunday morning, Sean McCann went for a run through Edmonton's river valley.
As he passed under a bridge the former Great Big Sea member slowed down and took note of his surroundings. He stopped when his eyes fell upon needles strewn across the ground.
It was in that moment McCann realized why it was important for him to be in Edmonton speaking to people in recovery.
I learned the hard way that we're not alone, and that's what helped me get through.- Séan McCann
"I'm one of these guys," he said.
"I'm in recovery, one of the things I've learned about it is the sense of isolation that many alcoholics and drug addicts feel.
"I learned the hard way that we're not alone, and that's what helped me get through."
Not alone
The Newfoundland-based singer had flown into Edmonton to be a keynote speaker in the city's fourth annual Recovery Day.
Held on Sunday at Giovanni Caboto Park in Edmonton's Little Italy, the free event featured a litany of presenters including medical experts, and speeches from politicians. Numerous 12-step programs and recovery centres were there offering their services and information to anyone that wanted it.
Phillippe Lafon, an addiction counsellor, helped organize the event. Lafon, who has been in recovery himself for the last nine years, said the day is important because it gets important information out to addicts.
A lot of people have all the intentions of getting better but they don't know where to go, they don't know where to ask.- Phillippe Lafon
"The main reason for Recovery Day is to give the resources," he said. "A lot of people have all the intentions of getting better but they don't know where to go, they don't know where to ask. A lot of it is pride so it's a lot easier to hide your pain through using substances.
"Once people realize the resources we have in Edmonton, it's extraordinary, when a person finally does make the move, they're so supporting regardless of what agency they go to."
McCann, who left his band in 2013 to focus on his recovery, released an album called Self Help two years ago which focused on the battle of getting better. He played several of his songs from that album to the Edmonton crowd, along with the follow up You Know I Love You.
This is more meaningful now than anything I've ever accomplished in the past. If I can just change one life, then I've done my job.- Séan McCann
"This is my work now, this is what I want to do, this is more meaningful now than anything I've ever accomplished in the past. If I can just change one life, then I've done my job," he said afterwards.
"I think it's important that people in recovery get together and talk and realize that they're not alone. It's that simple lesson that can get us through the hardest of days."
With files from Zoe Todd