Family Recovery Is a Community Strategy

Lerena Greig, Debbie Bridge, Dr Ray Baker, Dr Erin Mantis

Panel 13 – Healthcare Stream – Healthcare for Youth and Family

September 25th Day Three – Macleod Hall C & D South Building 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Family Recovery Is a Community Strategy

Dr Ray Baker, Lerena Greig, Debbie Bridge,

Session Description

As well as harming people with the disorder, addiction depletes the well-being of those closest to them. Families struggling with their loved one’s addiction live with anger, confusion, shame and burnout. Gradually, the family system may become less supportive, even a source of negative recovery capital.

Supportive relationships are essential for the difficult journey of recovery from addiction. Although families are part of most people’s recovery, the nature and dynamics of family relationships may either support or impede the recovery process. Empowered with hope, knowledge and coping skills, families become potent sources of recovery capital at home, at work, and in the community.

This session introduces the PEP Family Recovery Program, a strength-based, non-clinical community program rooted in positive psychology and the CHIME framework (Connection, Hope, Identity, Meaning, Empowerment). Designed for families affected by a loved one’s substance use, the program empowers participants to improve their well-being, autonomy, and resilience while providing psychoeducation and mutual support through a coach approach. PEP builds family recovery capital through education, communication strategies, boundary skills, and mutual support from other recovering participants.

Through information and group engagement, attendees at this session will learn about Family Recovery and other programs that PEP offers to families and communities across Alberta. PEP repositions family recovery as an essential pillar within a recovery-oriented system of care. Everyone with addiction embarking on their recovery journey is a family member. We are all family members; this work belongs to all of us.

Learning Objectives

  • Explain how families are sources of recovery capital and how they contribute to or deplete individual, workplace, and community recovery outcomes.
  • Identify at least three practical ways to strengthen family well-being as part of a recovery-oriented system of care.
  • Describe how evidence-informed frameworks such as CHIME support family recovery by building resilience and autonomy.

References

  • Best, D. (2022). Cultivating recovery capital. Cultivating Recovery Capital. https://www.cultivatingrecoverycapital.com/
  • Leamy, M., Bird, V., Le Boutillier, C., Williams, J., & Slade, M. (2011). Conceptual framework for personal recovery in mental health: Systematic review and narrative synthesis. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 199(6), 445–452. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.110.083733

Bio

Debbie Bridge, BBA, is a program developer, facilitator, and parent with lived experience in family recovery. She brings both personal insight and professional expertise to her work, with a BBA in Human Resources, facilitation training through ICA, certification in Inquiry-Based Coaching from the Innerland Institute, and training in recovery coaching. As Program and Communication Manager at PEP, Debbie develops participant-centred programs that support families affected by addiction. Her approach is rooted in compassion, clarity, and connection, helping build recovery capital where it begins: in families, relationships, and communities.

Lerena Greig has worked in the non-profit sector since 2007, specifically in the field of addiction and recovery. She has presented all over Alberta with her lived experience and advocates for change. In 2019, she joined as a Director of the Board for Our House Addiction Recovery Centre and in 2022, was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. As Executive Director of PEP Society since 2014, Lerena oversees operations while also fulfilling the role of public relations and resource development. She is a trained facilitator and on the team for the family support line. Lerena is passionate about empowering families and individuals to take that step into recovery.

Dr. Ray Baker is a distinguished physician and educator with a career dedicated to the understanding, treatment, and prevention of substance use disorders. With decades of experience in the field of addiction medicine, Dr. Baker has been instrumental in shaping evidence-based practices across Canada and internationally. Dr. Baker has served as a faculty member at multiple academic institutions, contributing to the education of healthcare professionals on addiction medicine and recovery-oriented practices. He has published widely, developed clinical guidelines, and frequently lectures at conferences and community events.

Other Panel Members

Join us for the Alberta Recovery Summit, hosted by the 9th Annual Recovery Capital Conference taking place on September 23rd, 24th, and 25th, 2025.

 Session Streams

  • Health Care and Recovery
  • Indigenous Health
  • Occupational Health and Safety

 Key Details

  • DAY ONE September 23rd – 5:30 pm 6:30: Early Badge Pick Up and Networking Reception, 6:30 pm to 8 pm Pre Conference Presentation
  • DAY TWO September 24th – 8:45 am to 5 pm: Keynote Speakers and Breakout Sessions
  • DAY THREE September 25th – 9 am to 5 pm: Keynote Speakers and Breakout Sessions

 Hotels

Book your hotel at one of our host hotels and save money. Click on the links for the discount rates and book early as rates will go up, and they always sell out.

Schedule

Speakers

Registration

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