How One Play is Changing the Conversation on AUD
On February 1st, the two-woman play How to Fail at Relationships delivered a moving exploration of addiction, relationships, and recovery. Written and performed by Campbell River residents Dawn King and Heather Gordon Murphy—longtime friends who found common ground in their different journeys through addiction and recovery— the performance was a raw, intimate, and at times humorous reflection on Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).
The play underscored the deeply personal nature of recovery—what works for one person may not work for another, but each path is valid. “I come from a childhood trauma story. Heather doesn’t,” Dawn shared, highlighting how their differing experiences inform their perspectives. Heather added: "There are many different models. Some work for some people, some work for other people."
The script, infused with poetry from Dawn's book, "Root, Rise, Roar: Transforming Trauma into Your Brave and Beautiful Life", emphasized the diverse ways people come to and move through addiction, and highlighted the helpfulness of storytelling in this process. "Story is medicine,” Dawn explained. “I live from an Indigenous lens where storytelling is how wisdom, culture, and guidance can heal or wake up the connection to ourselves and our journey. All cultures heal and share wisdom through stories."
Heather further emphasized the ability of the arts to offer both validation and a sense of connection: "People that watched my story and watched the art that we created the other night... it's been one of the most healing things it could ever be for me. It will continue to allow me to heal."
For the audience, the impact of these stories was also profound. A military veteran approached the performers after the show, expressing gratitude for the message that prioritizing self-care is valid. He described the challenges of balancing his duty to others with his own well-being.
This sense of connection and engagement continued into the audience Q&A, where attendees shared their appreciation, asked questions, and reflected on their own experiences. Some expressed how they appreciated hearing AUD explored in such an honest and relatable way. Others sought information on available local services, eager to continue the conversations sparked that evening.
How to Fail at Relationships, held at the Rivercity Players Theatre, created a space for open dialogue, community connection, and healing. Through art, conversation, and lived experience, Dawn and Heather reminded everyone in the room that recovery is not a straight line, nor is it the same for everyone. It is, however, possible—and that in itself is something to be cherished.