Addictions Don’t Discriminate: Building Connection through Storytelling

Author: Chelsey Anseeuw

There still exists a narrative in Edmonton, and across Canada, that addiction is a moral failing or character flaw and individuals who struggle should just drum up the courage to stop. Of course research tells a different story of the complex genetic, developmental, social and environmental factors and circumstances that can lead to addiction, like many other chronic conditions. Addictions Don’t Discriminate is an exhibit that attempts to present this complexity to the community through telling stories of lived experience. Each storyteller that shared their story in this exhibit highlights unique circumstances, challenges, and triumphs that led them to where they are today. Although not every Edmontonian may be able to relate to the experience of going through addiction, there is likely a situation, an experience, or a feeling that one of the storytellers has shared that they are able to connect with. This connection is important in building understanding, empathy, and inspiring people to mobilize a response.

The City of Edmonton, REACH Edmonton and many other dedicated partners launched the Addictions Don’t Discriminate Exhibit in November of 2021.  Over the course of 5 days, 435 Edmontonians went through the exhibit to learn from the six storytellers, participated in naloxone training, and were connected to local resources. Many of the participants shared their own stories and experiences with substance use as a result. One participant shared: “This exhibit helped me see how addiction is a crisis of disconnection”.

Watch a video from our launch:

The exhibit is now available for other organizations to host at their own events. We hope that this offers the opportunity for a diverse audience to learn from the stories of these Edmontonians who so graciously shared their journeys with us. If your organization is interested in hosting the exhibit, please visit our website at www.addictionsdontdiscriminate.com to review the hosting toolkit and fill out a hosting request form.