Recovery in Burnaby
Drug & Alcohol Abuse Support
Burnaby is the third-largest city within Metro Vancouver with a population of 249,197 in 2017, followed by the City of Vancouver and nearby Surrey. Like any major metropolitan city, Burnaby has a large number of people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. Luckily, the city takes substance abuse and mental health matters to heart. For example, the Burnaby Central Mental Health at the Burnaby Hospital provides support to individuals with substance addiction. Furthermore, the government of British Columbia is committing $36 million in the next three years to fund more addiction treatment space for youth.
The importance of substance abuse intervention:
An intervention is a structured method of assisting a person struggling with addiction and mental health issues. The goal is to help the addicted individual to seek help and commit to a treatment center. An interventionist will:
- Meet with a group of caring family members, friends and coworkers to gather information, assess, and recommend the best possible treatment options for the person afflicted.
- Facilitate meetings to encourage participants to explore enabling behaviours and consequences.
Help family and friends share their experiences and concerns with the person suffering from addiction.
- Find, support and accompany the person to treatment.
Liaise with the treatment centre and strategize on a full treatment program at all stages of the process.
- Provide follow up, support and help to find sponsorship.
Homelessness and drug abuse:
The city of Burnaby has seen an increase in its homeless population by 80% since 2017. The majority of homeless people have pre-existing substance addiction issues. Many are addicted to drugs such as:
- Heroin
- Cocaine
- Meth
- Ecstasy
Prescription drugs and tranquilizers including:
- Valium (diazepam)
- Ativan (lorazepam)
- Xanax (alprazolam)
- Klonopin (clonazepam)
With the homeless population already being in a vulnerable position, their needs to combat addiction and mental health problems are often overlooked. Despite the challenges, the city in collaboration with BC Housing and Progressive Housing Society has opened its first year-round emergency shelter in Burnaby. It will provide temporary housing relief to the homeless in the community. The shelter will provide up to 40 beds for women and men as well as meals and connection to health and social services on an on-going basis (24/7). Fraser Health will also provide health services based on individual needs.
Our Support Services
Drug & Alcohol interventions in Burnaby
Burnaby youth intervention services:
The City of Burnaby counts 206,060 people between the ages of 10 to 24 in the 2016 federal census. The younger population is more curious about trying new things and also more fragile in face of drug addiction. The average age a Canadian first tried drugs and alcohol and became aware of the possibility of addiction is 15 years old.
Andy Bhatti has been successfully performing interventions on teenagers all across Canada for many years. The success rate is extremely high, and Andy will be able to do an intervention anywhere in the country within 48 hours including Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg and Toronto. Along with helping the youth, Andy Bhatti & Addiction Services also provide services to the family members.
Drug & alcohol intervention services:
Andy Bhatti provides personalized one-on-one treatment options to individuals suffering from addiction and their families.
It’s often hard for a family member to watch a loved one suffer from an addiction, whether it be to drugs or alcohol. Andy Bhatti Interventions & addiction services coach families to write letters to the afflicted individual which allows their feelings and emotions to be heard. After the intervention, the family will stay connected with the interventionist while the loved one is in treatment to make sure they’re doing well. Moreover, Andy offers specialized services to female users suffering from sexual abuse trauma.