Support for loved ones of addicts

Carrie Wilkens, PhD and Co-founder of The Center for Motivation and Changes in Western Massachusetts shooting scenes with the Out To See Entertainment team.

Carrie Wilkens, PhD and Co-founder of The Center for Motivation and Change in Western Massachusetts shooting scenes with the Out To See Entertainment team.

Hello and Welcome to Addiction. The Next Step!

This website is home to a very special project, designed to change the conversation around addiction from shame and blame to kindness and compassion. Here you will find evidence-based resources and stories with startling new insights to inform and support you, particularly if you have a loved one, friend, co-worker, or relative struggling with substance use. The project is a collaboration between The Telus Fund, The Center for Motivation and Change, CBC Television, Bountiful Films, and Magnify Digital.

Jeff Foote, Phd on the spectacular grounds of CMC: Berkshires shooting scenes for the ATNS Interactive Guide.

Jeff Foote, Phd on the spectacular grounds of CMC: Berkshires shooting scenes for the ATNS Interactive Guide.

Addiction. The Next Step (ATNS) was inspired by the gripping life story of psychotherapist and recovering alcoholic, Michael Pond. It is made up of three key components. In the book, Wasted An Alcoholic Therapist’s Fight for Recovery in a Flawed Treatment System, readers ride shotgun on Mike’s hair-raising road to rock bottom and back. The documentary, Wasted, reveals the new science of addiction, and the ATNS Interactive Guide puts a proven new therapy directly into the hands of friends and loved ones of those battling addiction. Each element has a section on the website for you to explore at your leisure. The site is ever-changing as we add content in advance of the January 21st Canadian premiere of the documentary, release of the book, and launch of the interactive guide.

Between now and then, we’ll be sharing stories from behind the scenes. Maureen Palmer, director of the documentary, co-author of the book, and life partner of Mike Pond, reveals the pitfalls, moral quagmires and rewards of making a film about her partner, with her partner. In this space, you’ll also find videos, short stories, and facts about the revolution in addiction research and treatment.

Please sign up for our newsletter and share word of ATNS with your friends and families. Don’t hesitate to be in touch with questions or comments.

Moyra Rodger
Co-Producer, Addiction. The Next Step

« Back

3 Comments

Jamie Hayes

I have been sober for five coming on 6 years now,and it’s not easy but it was worth it.
As of the end of January i will be taking courses to train as a Recovery Coach and volunteer with an organization that helped me stay sober.I love the website and i hope to watch the documemtry also.

Reply
Tanya

Hi. I just watched the doc Wasted. It was very good but this site seems to be entirely related to that film. I’m wondering, is this the back bone if your site, or will their be other contributions and points of view? None of the scenarios about my partner, about to return from rehab based on the AA principles, related to our situation. I need resources to keep us both safe here in our home.
Thankyou.

Reply
ATNS Team

We are a brand new resource and just have the scenarios you see here now. But the principles in these scenarios, the 7 steps of positive communication for instance, apply in all interactions with a person battling a substance use disorder. Really dig deep into these scenarios and practice some of the content on your husband. Regardless of whether he was in an AA-style rehab, the tools here just make the relationship better.

Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *