29 Mar Top 11 Addiction Treatment Centers Ontario & Key Selection Criteria
Addiction is a well-known and well-documented issue all across Canada, and that includes Ontario.
The Canadian Mental Health Association reports about 10% of people in Ontario use drugs in a problematic way.
It also reports a growing issue related to opioid use, with it causing 865 deaths in 2016.
With these types of numbers, it’s important the population has access to some of the best addiction treatment centers Ontario offers.
An Overview of Addiction Treatment Centres Ontario
Treatment for addiction can be a key aspect in giving recovery the best odds of being successful. And it’s important people looking into entering addiction treatment find the best center and program suited to them. This type of decision can be made with professional help, like a doctor, other healthcare professionals, or addiction services professionals like Andy Bhatti.
Addiction treatment centers will offer different programs and different types of care, at different price points, but the end goal of helping their patients recover from substance dependency is always the same.
7 Types of Rehabs in Ontario
There are a wide array of addiction treatment centers Ontario offers. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, you’ll want to make sure you find the right rehabs in Ontario for your (or your loved one’s) needs.
Drug and Alcohol Rehab Ontario
Centers for drug and alcohol rehab Ontario offers work to provide treatment plans and programs for those with substance dependencies so they can get sober and return to living a healthy life. There are different types of rehab centres Ontario has that offer different types of treatment programs, including:
- Government-funded rehab centres Ontario offers are typically lower cost, but with more standard programs.
- Private rehab centres Ontario offers usually come at a higher cost but can offer a larger variety of programs and more customization and tailored to individuals.
- Both can provide inpatient or outpatient care. And both should be staffed by medical or healthcare professionals.
Inpatient Addiction Treatment Centers Ontario
Inpatient care, or residential care, is when the patient lives at the treatment center where he/she is getting treatment for his/her addiction. This type of care allows the patient to have access to treatment services and medical staff 24/7 for the duration of his/her stay (which can vary depending on the program). Inpatient rehab is most effectively used in severe addiction cases, or when the patient doesn’t have somewhere else safe to stay.
Outpatient Addiction Treatment Centers Ontario
Outpatient care is when the patient receiving treatment lives away from the treatment facility. Instead, the patient will come into the center as scheduled for his/her treatment. The treatment schedule can be worked around the patient’s own schedule as he/she is able to continue maintaining any responsibilities, like work or childcare, he/she has. Typically, this type of care is used for less severe cases of addiction or with someone who has these types of responsibilities to look after.
Detox Centers Ontario
Detox centers Ontario has to allow intoxicated individuals who suffer from substance addiction to let the drug run its course through their body naturally while being supervised by healthcare professionals. The detoxification process can cause intense withdrawal symptoms and even be dangerous for someone with a substance dependency. Going through it at a detox center allows the patient to be made as safe and comfortable as possible with professional help.
Detoxification is often the first step to addiction recovery. However, it’s not rehabilitation treatment on its own, and patients should engage in further rehab treatment once detoxed.
Long Term Treatment Centers for Addiction in Ontario
Long term treatment centers for addiction in Ontario are typically inpatient rehab treatment centers with programs that last longer than 90 days. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the most common form of this (at least in the USA) uses the Therapeutic Community (TC) model which focuses on resocializing patients using the community of residents and staff, and typically lasts between 6 and 12 months.
Private Alcohol Rehab Ontario
Private alcohol rehab Ontario offers is rehabilitation specifically for those with an alcohol dependency. Certain types of dependencies will have rehabilitation centers and programs specifically targeted toward treating them, alcohol being one of the most well-known. Private alcohol rehab will typically be more expensive than government-funded, with programs that may be more customizable and spaces that may offer more amenities.
Government-Funded Alcohol Rehab Ontario
Government-funded alcohol rehab Ontario offers is typically the more affordable, less individualized version of rehabilitation treatment and programs for those struggling with alcohol dependency.
Whether government-funded or private, there are different types of rehabilitation programs for alcohol rehab, like the 12-step program designed by Alcoholics Anonymous, as outlined in A Guide to Alcohol Rehab Ontario [Practical Info & Resources]. (12-step programs do not have to be alcohol-specific programs, but were developed by Alcoholics Anonymous for alcoholism treatment).
Pros & Cons of Each Type of Addiction Treatment Center Ontario
There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of addiction treatment centers Ontario offers. Some have been listed and compared in the tables below.
Drug and alcohol rehab Ontario offers is not included in this comparison, as it’s an integral part of addiction treatment.
Inpatient vs Outpatient Care
When it comes to choosing addiction treatment, you’ll want to decide if you would do better with inpatient or outpatient care. (This can be a decision you make with a healthcare professional, such as your doctor).
Here is a table comparing the two, also found in 8 Top-Rated Addiction Services Edmonton [2022 Edition].
| Inpatient | Outpatient |
| Gives residents a place to stay and structured, 24/7 treatment for the duration of the treatment | Is not so intensive a time commitment, allows the patient to continue with his/her life and responsibilities (work, childcare, etc) |
| Treatment is the major focus/priority of the patient during the stay | Patient can begin applying what he/she learns to his/her life as it’s learned |
| Often living with other patients who share similar struggles | Still option to see other patients and able to maintain better contact with own social circle |
| Typically provides a wide array of programs and counselling | Typically provides a wide array of programs and counselling |
Pros & Cons of Detox Centers Ontario
| Pros | Cons |
| 24/7 access to treatment and services with a safe place to say | Will disrupt typical daily life |
| Patient goes through detox and withdrawal symptoms with the aid and supervision of healthcare professionals | Withdrawal symptoms can be painful and potentially dangerous |
| Typically the first step in the recovery process | Detox is not rehabilitation treatment if used in isolation |
Pros & Cons of Long Term Treatment Centers for Addiction in Ontario
| Pros | Cons |
| 24/7 treatment and a safe place to stay | Disrupts daily life and responsibilities for potentially months or even a year |
| Provides structured treatment to address addiction and underlying issues (including different types of therapy) and focuses on recovery | Short-term inpatient care also offers structured care (for a shorter period of time) with potential continued outpatient care once residential stay completed |
| More time for healing physically, mentally, and psychologically, and preparing to return to normal life |
Private Alcohol Rehab Ontario vs Government-Funded Alcohol Rehab Ontario
| Private Alcohol Rehab Ontario | Government-Funded Alcohol Rehab Ontario |
| More specialized programs and amenities | More standardized treatment |
| Comes at a higher cost | More affordable |
| Wait times shorter in length than government-funded | Longer wait times |
5 Ontario Drug Rehab Selection Criteria
Ontario drug rehab isn’t a blanket treatment that’s exactly the same for every person. There are different types of rehab centers that offer different services and different treatment plans. As much as you’ll be making sure you pick the right fit for you, they’ll be making sure you’re the right fit for them, too. Different treatment centers will have different criteria for who’s allowed in.
Some of those criteria include:
- The severity of addiction
- Space
- Age
- Gender
- Type of addiction
Severity of Addiction
How severe your addiction is will affect what types of treatment are best for you. Someone with a severe drug dependency that causes him/her to be unable to maintain his/her responsibilities may be recommended inpatient care, for instance. That person will need to find a treatment center that he/she can reside in to get the 24/7 care he/she needs. Someone with a less severe addiction, on the other hand, who is maintaining his/her responsibilities and/or has responsibilities he/she can’t abandon for a rehab stay, maybe a better fit for outpatient care.
Space
Whether or not you will be accepted into an addiction treatment program can also depend on the space available. If there’s no space available (for example, if it’s an inpatient care program with no beds left) then that center will not be able to take on any more patients until more space opens up.
Age
There are some treatment programs that are geared specifically towards people in a certain age group. Some treatment programs, for example, accept only people who are 18 or older. There are others who target those under the age of 18, or youth.
Gender
Although there are programs that are open to all genders, there are also programs that are only available to one gender. If you would feel safest or most comfortable in an environment where you’re surrounded only by your own gender, this is a criterion to consider.
Type of Addiction
Addictions to some types of substances may have programs developed specifically for them. These programs can be more tailored to a person’s own specific experiences due to the nature of everyone in it having a dependency on the same substance. One well-known example of addiction-specific treatment is Alcohol Anonymous or AA meetings, for those with a dependency on alcohol.
Top 11 Addiction Centres in Ontario
The following addiction centres in Ontario (listed in no particular order) were selected based on some of the top-rated treatment centers in Ontario found using Google reviews.
1. 1000 Islands Rehab Centre
Located in the 1000 Islands area but with services available in Toronto, too, the 1000 Islands Rehab Centre offers services to treat a variety of addictions, including alcohol, meth, amphetamine, inhalants, opioid, cocaine, prescription, marijuana, and heroin. Treatment is individualized for the patient, starting with a detailed assessment. According to the website, the centre offers a variety of recreational activities, as well, including nutrition and fitness routines, meditation and yoga, and music and art therapy, as well as different types of therapy, relapse prevention workshops, and life management courses.
2. Freedom From Addiction
Freedom From Addiction, which has service areas in Toronto, Brampton, Vaughan, Kitchener, and Mississauga, is a residential addiction treatment facility with a holistic approach and homey vibes. It is an Accreditation Canada partner and offers a variety of different treatment programs, including drug rehabilitation, alcohol addiction rehabilitation, mental health counselling, addiction recovery programs, and medical detox. Drug addiction treatment, as listed on the website, includes those with a dependency on cocaine, heroin, marijuana, DMT, ecstasy, GHB, and opiates. According to the website, the programs offered are typically for 30, 60 or 90 days.
3. Medical Detox Ontario
This inpatient detox centre is also located in the 1000 Islands region of Ontario. Patients can receive 24/7 care while here. According to the website, when a patient first arrives, he/she will meet a therapist so a plan for detox can be created, then the patient will be given a tour and taken to his/her room. The next step is a physical examination from a doctor, and then finally detox begins. Every patient’s detox plan will be individualized for him/her. The website makes it clear that detox is an important first step of addiction recovery, but after the patient has detoxed, he/she should enter into rehab.
4. Addiction Rehab Toronto
According to its website, accredited rehab centre Addiction Rehab Toronto offers holistic addiction treatment for people struggling with addictions and families, including detox treatment, inpatient care, virtual rehab, sober living, counselling, and aftercare. The website stipulates patients will be given an assessment separate from the family (who will also complete assessments) to help create the right treatment plans for them. Some of the common addictions Addiction Rehab Toronto treats, according to its website, are alcohol, cocaine, opioids, prescription drugs, amphetamine, and marijuana.
5. The Farm Rehab
Located in Stouffville, The Farm Rehab, according to its Treatment Programs page, combines scientific and spiritual treatment techniques for a holistic, medical, and psychological approach to therapy individualized for each patient after an initial assessment. According to the website, it’s an inpatient rehab centre that specializes in treatment for opiate, drug, alcohol, and prescription drug addictions. The website states it can treat 10 people at a time and has a one-to-one ratio of staff to patients.
6. Neworld Medical Detox Centre
The Neworld Medical Detox Centre is a residential detox centre with locations in Windsor, Vaughan, London, Barrie, and Ottawa. According to its website, it offers customized, 24/7 medical detox services for all alcohol, chemical, and drug addictions, including opiates, cocaine & crack, methamphetamine, ketamine, hallucinogens, benzodiazepines etc, but specializes in methadone. The medical team will also help patients find rehab treatment after detox is done so they can continue with an effective treatment plan, as outlined on the website.
7. Canadian Centre for Addictions
The Canadian Centre for Addictions, located in Port Hope, is a treatment facility offering inpatient and outpatient care. According to its website, it seeks to customize treatment plans to its patients so they are able to maintain their responsibilities for an easier transition out of the facility when treatment is over, whether treatment is inpatient or outpatient. Other treatment programs listed on the website are lifetime aftercare, detox, mental health support, and interventions.
8. Metamorphosis Centre for Change
Located in Wasaga Beach, the Metamorphosis Centre for Change is an inpatient alcohol and drug rehab centre. The website lists steps to completing one of the programs at this centre, including pre-admission, intake, the program, graduation, and aftercare. As well as inpatient treatment programs, the Metamorphosis Centre for Change also offers interventions and aftercare services. Treatment typically lasts for 4, 6, 8, or 12 weeks with patients receiving individual psychotherapy twice a week, according to the website. It says the centre can hold up to 26 patients.
9. The Vitanova Foundation
The Vitanova Foundation is an addiction recovery centre located in Mississauga. It offers a variety of programs, including community outreach, day treatment, aftercare, family support, outpatient care, and shelter for up to 34 homeless (due to addiction) men. According to the website, the Vitanova Foundation’s principles are abstinence-based (for drugs unless medically prescribed), client-centred, holistic, culturally sensitive, cost-effective, and free. The Vitanova Foundation offers its services at no cost.
10. Sunshine Coast Health Centre
Sunshine Coast Health Centre’s Ontario location (specifically located in Toronto) focuses on outpatient services for alumni who have already been through addiction treatment, and their families. That way, these people who have already been through substance abuse treatment can access resources and like-minded communities and individuals to help prevent relapse and support their continued sobriety and recovery.
11. Andy Bhatti Intervention Services – Ontario
Not quite an addiction treatment center in the way others on this list are, Andy Bhatti Interventions and Addiction Services provides intervention services across Canada, including in Toronto and the rest of Ontario. These professional interventions are led by a professional who has gotten to know the addicted person through the family and can hopefully handle the situation as effectively as possible, help resolve and avoid familial conflicts during the intervention, help connect families with family counselling, and lead those addicted to drugs into the right treatments for them so they and their families have the best chances of recovery.
Addiction Treatment Centers Ontario Doesn’t Offer
There are many incredible drug rehab centers in Ontario. However, there are others across the country, too, like Cedars at Cobble Hill, located in British Columbia, or top-rated addiction services Edmonton offers. So if for whatever reason, you’d prefer to have treatment outside of Ontario, you have plenty of great options. You can find drug and alcohol addiction treatment centres Ontario doesn’t offer by using directories like Canada Drug Rehab.
FAQ
Do addiction treatment centers Ontario offers work?
Addiction treatment centers Ontario offers can be effective ways to treat addiction. In a 2017 study by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction:
- 51.2% of people in recovery reported they hadn’t had a single relapse,
- 91.8% reported using a 12-step mutual support group
- 60.6% reported using a residential addiction treatment program.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has also suggested that the amount of time in treatment can affect its effectiveness, with success being limited to treatment that’s less than 90 days.
This is all to say that although relapse does happen, the right addiction treatment can still be very effective for recovery.
Are there free drug rehab centers in Ontario?
Some rehab services in Ontario are offered for free, like the Vitanova Foundation’s. Some programs can also be covered by OHIP.
In Summary
If you or someone you love is struggling with drug addiction, there are many quality addiction treatment centers Ontario offers.
So take the first step in recovery and contact Andy Bhatti to discuss intervention or treatment plans.