Calgary recovery centre hosts ‘Sober Stampede’ BBQ to challenge addiction stigma

A Calgary substance recovery centre is shattering the stigma associated with sobriety by hosting an alcohol-free barbeque.

A Calgary recovery centre is using the city’s biggest annual celebration to challenge stereotypes about addiction and recovery.

The Last Door Calgary Recovery Centre hosted a sober Stampede barbecue Thursday, bringing together residents, families and members of the Forest Lawn community for live music, food and activities.

Organizers say the event is intended to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction by showing what recovery looks like.

“We believe in recovering out loud,” said Ryan Gilfillan, program director at the Calgary Recovery Community Centre. “We don’t need to hide away or hide our identity.”

Gilfillan, who was in recovery himself, now oversees the centre’s 74-bed facility. He said many people associate addiction with homelessness, drug use and supervised consumption sites rather than the recovery process.

“A lot of people were concerned because when they think of addiction, they think of safe injection sites, needles and homelessness,” he said. “But recovery is very different from that.”

He said the event also gives people an opportunity to meet those in recovery and see them beyond the stereotypes.

“We’re not scary people,” Gilfillan said. “We’re just normal citizens going through some stuff and trying to work on it.”

Positive impact

Some nearby residents say the recovery centre has had a positive impact on the community.

“It’s definitely good because you see they’re trying, and hopefully some of them will pull through,” said Kris Brooks.

Jesse Anderson said the organization has become a positive neighbour.

“My hat’s off to them,” Anderson said. “Are they helping the neighbourhood? Yes. They’re not hurting it, that’s for sure.”

The event also highlighted the impact recovery can have on families.

Shane Hadley said entering the program allowed him to rebuild relationships that had been damaged by substance use.

“My mom was planning my funeral before,” Hadley said. “She was always worried about me. She couldn’t sleep at night. When I got into recovery, it was the biggest relief for her. I got the connection back with my sister and my aunties. They don’t have to watch me destroy my life anymore.”

Gilfillan said he hopes events like the sober Stampede barbecue help normalize recovery and show that people can enjoy celebrations without substances.

“It’s a big deal because people get to see that we can have fun,” he said. “We don’t need alcohol or drugs to do it.”