“Hello. I’m Steve. Recovering addict, ex-offender, and core member.”
That’s how Steven Deveau introduces himself at each 7th Step Society meeting. It’s just one of many commitments he’s made to ensure his life continues in a positive direction.
Steven Deveau, 2021 Let’s Keep Talking Outstanding Individual Award Recipient
“My life's journey has been a tremendous teacher,” confides Steven. “I understand the struggles embedded with mental health, addiction, relapse, and recovery. I lived with the turmoil of displaced anger. My promise is to help those that are interested in learning about the journey to recovery as I once believed it was not possible and today, I am one of the few that have found it.”
After a childhood shaped by trauma, years of challenges with mental illness, addiction, crime and incarceration, Steven has reclaimed his life. He is 9 years sober, has a supportive partner of more than 20 years, and has furthered his education and career. He’s led a crime-free life for more than a decade and has received a pardon for his efforts. Steve now uses his lived experience and training to support others to make positive changes in their own lives.
“Oserving people, such as Steve, demonstrate desistance from crime as well as mental health and substance use recovery is inspiring,” says Dr. Jamie Livingston, Professor of Criminology at St Mary’s University. “Steve is a role model who inspires hope in others who are similarly situated. His commitment to helping others is admirable. The adversity he has overcome as well as the ongoing contributions he makes to our community are deserving of recognition.”
Steven is committed to helping others and making amends. He provides peer support, coordinates housing placements, and delivers wellness and anger management programs. He shares his story with students at schools, delivers the 7th Step program at the Nova Institution for Women and the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Centre, participates in Nova Scotia Health patient advisory council meetings and supports 7th Step Society members who may be struggling.
Most recently, Steven has been working as co-researcher on the 7th Step Society Peer Research Team to learn more about people’s reintegration needs following incarceration. He has also co-written a chapter for a book on the topic of stigma associated with substance use disorders that will soon be published by Cambridge University Press
“Honouring Steven Deveau as our Outstanding Individual is particularly poignant this year,” says Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia President & CEO Starr Cunningham. “Increasing addiction rates in light of the ongoing pandemic, and our keynote speaker’s personal story of overcoming alcoholism demonstrate why now, more than ever, we need to get comfortable talking about addiction in our province. We are incredibly proud to be recognizing Steven’s achievements.”
Congratulations to Steven Deveau, our 2021 Let’s Keep Talking Award Recipient for Outstanding Individual! (Sponsored by J & W Murphy Foundation)