Elke’s On the Island, Ep. 6: The Opposite of Addiction
Content Warning: Might trigger strong emotions or discomfort, as we discuss topics of alcoholism, addiction, mention of suicidal ideation, and relapse.
Associate Media Editor Elke Sorensen and Nav Features Editor Deanne Whenham sit down in-studio to discuss Whenham’s journey through alcohol addiction and recovery as a young adult. Whenham, who approaches four years sober, takes the listener through her first encounters with alcohol while in university, her descent into addiction and isolation, and her recovery at Edgewood Treatment Centre in Nanaimo, BC. As Whenham prepares to graduate from VIU this semester, she reflects on the importance of connection, community, and family amidst a culture where drinking is normalized and often a central part of a student’s social experiences. Whenham also sits down with her parents, Blair & Carolyne, to talk about the reverberances of alcoholism in the family, and how people in their position can nurture themselves in difficult times.
Photo by Clayton Isherwood.
Addiction and recovery resources:
Edgewood Nanaimo- https://www.edgewoodhealthnetwork.com/locations/edgewood/
Mid-Island Alcoholics Anonymous – https://nanaimoaa.org/meetings/
Mental Health and Addictions Phone Line – 1-833-553-6983
03.29.26| Vol. 57, No. 6 | Audio
Elke Sorensen
Elke is in her final year of the Bachelor of Arts program at VIU with a major in Creative Writing and a minor in Media Studies. She’s been a volunteer at CHLY 101.7FM for three years as a host for the VIU Meter as well as her very own literary show, Writer’s Block. Elke has also spent the last two summers in the city of Yellowknife, NWT, working as a broadcast intern for Cabin Radio and hosting Evenings with Elke, a show that featured Canadian authors and musicians. Although she previously worked as a staff writer for The Navigator, she has settled into a role as Associate Media Editor and podcaster. Her podcast, Elke’s on the Island, is available to stream on Spotify. After graduation, Elke will continue to work on her canine-themed weird horror short story collection while living in and exploring the spectacular NWT as a broadcast journalist.
