Ani Essien: Student Experiences at Hazelden Betty Ford Centre

Ani Essien, a fourth-year pharmacy student, discovered his passion for pharmacy during an undergraduate course on the pharmacology of drug abuse. He was drawn to the profession because it allowed him to practise health care while staying connected to his community. 

Essien believed pharmacy would challenge him, refine his clinical skills, and help him grow through teamwork and constructive feedback. 

This summer, Essien had the opportunity to participate in the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation & University of Alberta 2024 Substance Use Disorder Immersion Program, where he was deeply impacted by the strong sense of community among patients and counsellors. Through group sessions, Essien learned the value of relationships and how shared experiences foster healing and growth.

Tell us about your experience at the Betty Ford Center.

The community formed at Betty Ford truly impacted me. The counsellors are a useful resource to patients but above all their shared experiences were what seemed to bring them together the most. In group sessions, patients would emphasize the importance of their connections and how they learned something new with every new relationship formed. I was able to take something away at every group session but overall I learned the importance of community.

How will you apply what you learned to your professional and academic life?
I will approach every patient knowing that everyone has a unique story. In pharmacy school, we are drilled to treat addiction as a disease but this does not always translate to every pharmacist. Prejudice exists in every one of us and unfortunately, these preconceived notions affect the way we interact with patients. Being fully immersed in the addiction treatment gave me a completely different mindset. I am not only motivated to change my practice but also to inform my peers to change their practice as well. A small gesture, change in body language, or empathy can bring your patient from pre-contemplation to the action stage of addiction. These are little things to us but they make big changes in people's lives.

Where did you experience the most personal growth through this experience?
The group therapy sessions were a real eye-opener for me. That is where I got to see the patients pour out their hearts and open up about their journey with addiction. 

How has this experience impacted you as a future pharmacist?

As a pharmacist I will always engage with my patients positively and enthusiastically. By creating a positive and judgment-free environment I will help my patients be more willing to open up. As my patients trust me and share their struggles, I can mend my practice to fit the particular patient's needs. I strive to promote health care by creating a stronger sense of community for all my patients.

Would you recommend this opportunity to future students?

I highly recommend students seize this opportunity to improve their practice. You will not get many chances like this to change your perspective positively.