“Let me start off by saying this is my first time in recovery and it’s been quite a journey! One of the programs that have helped the most was the Men’s group at SRWC. When I started the program at SRWC I was upset and carried a lot of anger and resentment. For the first few classes I kept to myself, still a bit in denial. The topics that were being presented to me were exactly what I needed to hear. The group was a place where I was able to learn and also demonstrate these new coping skills in my new lifestyle.”
-Group Graduate

“SRWC has empowered me in my struggle with addiction. I have been to AA groups in the past with little success. Being in group with Matt has provided me with the tools, backed by research studies, has set my life up in a way to prevent relapse and give myself the best chance at being successful in recovery. Matt fosters a caring, nurturing environment and allows those that attend to feel comfortable sharing their difficulties and fears, which I believe is essential for long term recovery.”
Group Participant

Our Men’s Continuing Recovery Program is facilitated by Certified Addictions Counsellor Matthew Hodgins. The program runs Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1:30-3:30pm. SRWC has recently moved to our new location at 280 Smith Street. If you are interested in joining or have any questions, please contact us at 204-956-6650.

SRWC’S continuing recovery program is designed for male identifying participants who are at least a month sober from drugs and alcohol and wish to maintain their recovery by holistic lifestyle change. The program combines elements of psychoeducation, and behavioral Counselling, offering a supportive environment for men who have completed a treatment program and are continuing their recovery journey. OUR APPROACH. The program takes a gendered approach to highlight how men are vulnerable to addiction by discussing negative gender roles hindering sobriety; the rules and expectations on what it means to be a man. Historically, men have been told that sadness is a sign of weakness, and men shouldn’t talk to other men about their emotions. Anger is the only strong emotion that is acceptable to display. To detach emotionally and appear in control feels imperative because society dictates men shouldn’t talk about their pain. It should be no surprise that many men struggle with their emotions and attitudes long after they’ve achieved sobriety. ISSUES MEN FACE IN RECOVERY. Men usually have fewer social ties than women. For many, their only source of emotional support is their partner, and when that unrealistic expectation is not met – they panic. With unmet needs, men externalize their emotions in various ways such as reckless driving, suicide, alcohol, drugs, interpersonal and community violence. Alcohol use among men has long been associated with masculinity, competition and serves a rite of passage for many. Many men grieve the loss of comradery when they choose to get sober and the Men’s group at SRWC aims to provide the bond they desire.
Rigid gender rules form a box. When a man steps out of the box, they are challenged, with various explicit names, many associated with femininity. When discussing this as a group, we asked ourselves: “Why does it have to be this way?”. The answer is; because we hadn’t questioned it yet. That rigid box of gender expectations creates the breeding ground for addiction – isolation, shame, and secret-keeping. WE CAN HELP. The program challenges the structural ways of thinking in pursuit of being our true authentic selves; feeling comfortable asking for help and expressing a wide range of emotions in a safe way. We discover that characteristics that have historically been defined as weaknesses, are essential parts of a healthy man. To untangle these rigid rules of masculinity is to be vulnerable; an essential component to recovery. SRWC has set the stage for men to empower themselves in a safe, welcoming environment.

With a busy schedule, breakfast can be easily overlooked, but research suggests that skipping it may do more harm than you think. Breakfast kickstarts your metabolism, providing essential energy for the day ahead. It helps stabilize blood sugar levels, preventing mid-morning energy crashes and irritability. Additionally, a balanced breakfast fuels cognitive functions, enhancing concentration and productivity. Studies link regular breakfast consumption to weight management, as it reduces the likelihood of overeating later in the day. Nutrient-rich breakfast options also contribute to better nutrient intake, supporting overall health. Cultivating a breakfast routine promotes a healthier lifestyle, positively impacting physical and mental performance.

Short wait time for intakes and entering individual counseling or programs and support. Our evening programs provide programming if you are unavailable during the day due to work, school, child care, or other commitments.

EXPLORING OPTIONS – Our co-ed pre- recovery evening program is designed for participants who may be awaiting a program in a residential setting, mandated to attend, experiencing problems and wanting to explore, if indeed there is a problem. The program is goal oriented, focused on participants’ recovery goals, whether harm reduction or abstinence, deciding to attend a residential program, or staying clean and sober while awaiting a residential program.

“Working a full-time day job limits my options for recovery programming. Exploring Options gives me the opportunity to continue working my regular hours while also working towards my recovery goals. The materials provide important information, and the sessions are always interactive and engaging. Exploring Options has helped me identify my reasons for continuing my recovery journey. The support from the group and its facilitators helps me make better decisions in my day-to-day life and keeps me accountable. I am very grateful for the Exploring Options group!”

WORK SOBER – Building a New Life for Recovery is designed to give participants who have been sober for a while, the skills and support to reinforce and strengthen their sobriety. We follow the principles of adult learning philosophies and motivational interviewing to engage our participants ensuring that topics covered meet their current recovery needs and skills. Topics focus on understanding what relapse is or isn’t, knowing and identifying the warning signs, managing triggers and cravings and planning for success. Other topics include: grief and loss in recovery, setting healthy boundaries, and dealing with boredom, etc.

“I’ve always come away with hope and a ‘new’ way to look at a personal problem. Listening to others who are on longer journeys than I, has been so very helpful presenting an issue or possibility – giving us time to react and discuss how we have dealt with this personally, or would like to learn to deal with it. This helped me rebuild relationships with friends and family by showing I can be honest with my church friends, and with my brother about my addiction and my journey. I am grateful I now have a place to go for support in my journey of recovery to a new life”
CONTACT US TODAY: Call SRWC at (204) 956-6650 or email info@srwc-mb.ca to make an appointment or get more information about our various programs.
DONATE TODAY: St. Raphael Wellness Centre Inc., 5th Flr. 280 Smith St. R3C 1K4 Donations can also be made online at srwc-mb.ca or E-Transfer info@srwc-mb.ca; or Credit Card, call (204)956-6650)

Is substance abuse affecting your job or education? THE COST: Alcohol use and abuse in the workplace among full and part time workers aged 18-65 has now become a major source of revenue loss to small, medium, and national corporations. The direct and indirect costs of substance abuse cost to the Canadian economy, and Canadians is more than $38 Billion dollars per year. The costs to health care, criminal justice system, and lost productivity costs Manitoba over $1.4 Billion dollars, which amounts to $1,094 per person per year in Manitoba regardless of age. (Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research).
MYTH: It is the illegal drugs that are the problem – Opiates, Fentanyl, Heroin, Meth, etc.
FACT: While illegal, drugs are certainly a problem, Alcohol is still the #1 drug of choice of Canadians and Manitobans, resulting in staggering personal and economical costs for our economy, and devastating to the health of individuals and their families. We have not even begun to calculate the increased overall health and economic costs of alcohol abuse due to the stresses of COVID, such as Issues with relationship violence, absenteeism, sick leave, disability, Worker’s Compensation, insurance claims, damaged equipment, and litigation, to name a few. YOU CAN REGAIN CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE
SRWC is a unique recovery-oriented community-based agency which offers pre and continuing recovery and family programs as well as individual and couples counseling. We have gender specific as well as co-ed programs morning, afternoon and evening to meet your individual needs.

Every cell in the body needs magnesium. It helps keep muscles strong and nerves alert. And a new study in the journal Circulation suggests that daily magnesium supplements can even help an ailing heart. Lead author C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD, Director of the Preventive and Rehabilitative Cardiac Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, says that magnesium supplements enabled heart disease patients to exercise for longer periods and appeared to protect their hearts from the stress of exercise. Patients who took magnesium had better blood vessel function and their hearts showed less stress during treadmill exercise compared to the placebo group.