02 Jun Finding Quality Drug Addiction Help in Canada – Tips & Advice
For too many people across Canada, drug addiction is an excruciating reality. Research from Alberta is showing us that COVID-19 is exacerbating the impact of addiction on vulnerable communities.
Another sad reality of drug addiction is that many who are suffering don’t know where or how to find help.
Choosing to fight this disease and start the journey to recovery is a life-changing step. Wherever you are in the country, know that there are many dedicated drug addiction centers where you can receive addiction and substance abuse help.
In this blog, you’ll learn about what drug addiction help might look like for you or your loved one, and a list of qualified treatment centers for drug addiction in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
8 Types Of Drug Addiction Help
Intervention
Simply talking to your loved ones about their addiction isn’t enough to get them to seek help. A drug intervention is a carefully planned conversation between the affected person and their loved ones, supervised by an intervention specialist.
The goal of an intervention is to help the person acknowledge that they have an addiction problem and commit to treatment.
Detoxification
The first, and often the most painful and dangerous, step to recovery from alcohol and drug addiction is the detox. It’s the process of allowing the body to remove drugs from the system. Due to the dangers of detox, as withdrawal symptoms can be fatal, it must be done with supervision and medical assistance.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
CBT is a popular form of psychotherapeutic treatment that helps people identify their damaging thought patterns and actively change them. Through CBT, patients are empowered to help themselves as they challenge previous patterns and actively replace them with more objective, realistic, and helpful thoughts. CBT is an effective treatment for drug addiction and other mental illnesses.
Medication
While supportive substance abuse counsellors and holistic treatment are effective when recovering from addiction, medical assistance is often necessary to break the chains of physical dependence and keep someone safe and stable during the dangerous withdrawal period.
These medications include:
| Drug | Use |
| Naltrexone | Blocks the brain’s receptors that make alcohol pleasurable, reducing the desire to consume alcohol |
| Methadone | Blocks the brain’s receptors that are activated by heroin and painkillers, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms |
| Baclofen | Treats muscle spasms during detox and withdrawal |
12-Step Program
Developed by Alcoholics Anonymous, the 12-Step Program is perhaps the most famous and pervasive form of treatment for addiction. It sets a spiritual foundation for personal recovery that incorporates friends and family and helps patients to reconcile the damage caused by their addiction.
The 12 steps are:
- Honesty
- Faith
- Surrender
- Soul-searching
- Integrity
- Acceptance
- Humility
- Willingness
- Forgiveness
- Maintenance
- Making contact
- Service
Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy
Developed by psychologist Albert Ellis, REBT is an approach to treatment that focuses on actions. The goal of REBT is to help people recognize and shift the deep-rooted beliefs and damaging thought patterns underlying their addiction.
The core concept of REBT is the ABC model which helps us interpret the external events that we blame for our situation.
- A: Activating event – the thing that happened in your outside environment
- B: Belief – your thoughts about the event or situation
- C: Consequence – an emotional response to the belief
Differences Between Inpatient Treatment Center vs. Outpatient Treatment Centre
| Inpatient Treatment Centre | Outpatient Treatment Centre |
| The patient lives in the facility | The patient says at home but receives treatment during the day |
| Total removal from daily routine | Maintains normal routine |
| Expensive but government funding is available | Often free or low-cost |
| A full immersion into treatment with 24-hour support | 10-12 hours per week |
| Designed to treat serious, life-threatening addictions | Suitable for a mild addiction |
Drug Addiction Help Providers In Alberta
RAAM at The Alex in Calgary
For those who are at-risk and need immediate drug addiction help, the team at The Alex provides Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) and connects people to long-term support.
RAAM is a prescription medication that helps addicts endure withdrawal symptoms and transition out of the relapse cycle into the healing process.
Phone: 403-277-9869
Email: raam@thealex.ca
Hours: Walk-in Monday to Friday between 9:00-11:00 am
Indian-Metis Rehabilitation Centre in Bonnyville
This holistic rehabilitation centre is a government-owned, First Nations-operated facility that focuses on all aspects of recovery:
- Mental
- Emotional
- Physical
- Spiritual
- Social
The program is for those wanting to heal from their addiction to alcohol or drugs and is built around the 12-step program. Participants receive one-to-one counselling, group discussions, workshops with First Nations elders, and healing practices steeped in traditional native values.
Phone: 780-826-3328
Address: 60424 Range Road, 464A, South of Bonnyville Beach
Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre in Calgary
The AARC treatment program is specifically designed for young people aged 12-21 who are struggling with substance abuse and addiction. The treatment model is endorsed by specialists and considers the multidimensional aspects of addiction and its interaction with mental health disorders.
Treatment is based on the Alcoholics Anonymous 12 Step Model and prioritizes supporting adolescents with reintegration into a supportive community and family environment.
AARC is committed to supporting participant families so no that one is turned away on financial grounds.
Phone: 403-253-5250
Address: 303 Forge Rd, Calgary, AB T2H 0S9, Canada
Drug Addiction Help Providers In British Columbia
Georgia Strait Women’s Clinic in Powell River
For those seeking discreet, private treatment for women who come from successful professional backgrounds, Georgia Strait Women’s Clinic provides evidence-based therapies for drug addiction and mental illness.
Treatment includes:
- 24-hour medical withdrawal support (detox)
- Psychiatric care
- Psychological care
- Family counselling
- Post-treatment coaching
Georgia Strait Women’s Clinic does not require abstinence prior to entering treatment, as their team is qualified to handle withdrawal management.
The team is uniquely specialized in supporting women enduring occupational trauma from careers as first responders and military personnel.
Phone: 866-487-9040
Address: 8104 Highway 101, Powell River, British Columbia
Centres For Health & Healing in Vaughan
This drug addiction help center is a retreat-style luxury home with all the comforts, including an indoor swimming pool, lounges, and a private view of the lake.
Treatment revolves around the personal needs and experiences of participants. Their approach is non-12 Step based, focusing instead on a mindful mental health approach that includes:
- One-on-one therapy
- Small group therapy
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Physical and nutritional activities
- Personalized programs through collaboration with family
The specialized team is equipped to treat a wide range of interconnected problems, from alcoholism to drug addiction and mental illnesses. The facility feels like a luxury home rather than an institution, with a grand Georgian-style house and rolling 110 acres of grounds.
24-Hour Hotline: 888-707-2344
Address: 4360 Kirby Road, Vaughan, Ontario, L4H 4G2
Drug Addiction Help Providers In Ontario
Portage Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Program for Ontario Youth in Elora
This drug addiction center provides free residential treatment to adolescents aged 14 to 18+. Residents learn the tools to understand their addiction and thrive in life without drugs.
Treatment focuses on self-esteem coaching and preparation for reintegration in the school, family, and work environment.
Portage takes a therapeutic approach that includes:
- Self-help
- Milieu therapy
- Community support
- Peer role modelling
- Social learning
- Individual case management
- Remedial education
- Family support
- Psychiatric support
Phone: 519-846-0945
Address: 6681 Irvine Street, Elora, Ontario
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences in Whitby
This is a public teaching hospital for people suffering from mental illnesses and drug addiction. Safe, evidence-based treatment is the top priority as patients receive clinical and therapeutic care.
Ontario Shores offers a wide range of services, including inpatient and outpatient, for adolescents, adults, and seniors.
Phone: 905-430-4055
Address:700 Gordan Street, Whitby, Ontario
Referrals: centralizedreferral@ontarioshores.ca
Connex Ontario in London
Connex is a free referral service that connects people to the right drug addiction help center in their area. For those who aren’t quite ready to commit to treatment, and want to talk to someone about their options, Connex is a positive step in the right direction.
Connex Ontario has a 24/7 live phone service connecting you to specialists who can listen to your needs and point you to services that can help.
You can find the following providers:
- Drug addiction treatment services
- Crisis helplines
- Help groups
- Distress centers
- Family services
Connex offers services in both English and French, as well as translation services for people speaking other languages.
Drug Addiction Help Providers In Quebec
Portage Quebec in Saint-Malachie
Portage is a long-established treatment center specializing in a wide range of programs for:
- Adolescent (inpatient and outpatient)
- Adult (inpatient and outpatient)
- Mothers
- Men
- Employment reintegration
This rehabilitation center focuses on the bigger picture beyond substance abuse, coaching participants with their confidence and teaching them the tools they need to handle daily challenges and thrive.
Portage is a full-service treatment center, providing:
- Cultural and recreational activities
- Family counselling
- Social reintegration coaching
- Schooling
- Aftercare coaching post-treatment
Phone: 418-642-2472
Address: 244, ch. De la Montagne, Saint-Malachie, Quebec
Smart Recovery in Godmanchester
Smart Recovery is a specialized, science-backed addiction treatment center that is built around a 4-Point Program for addiction recovery:
- Enhancing and Maintaining Motivation
- Coping with Urges
- Problem Solving
- Lifestyle Balance
Its approach to addiction recovery has an individual focus, offering an intensive therapeutic program and residential rehab center so that patients can focus entirely on their addiction treatment process.
Services include:
- Learning self-empowerment and self-reliance
- Group discussions
- Prescribed medications and psychological treatment
- Science-based addiction recovery
Smart Recovery is focused on empowering individuals to change self-defeating and negative behaviours so they can improve their own quality of life.
Phone: 514-621-2257
Address: 2678 Route,138 Ouest, Godmanchester
Chatsworth in Montreal
Chatsworth is a 3-week residential treatment centre for those seeking private drug addiction help.
It’s the only treatment centre in Canada offering the unique ‘Closed Group’ therapeutic model. It’s a shorter program that provides more intensive, uninterrupted counselling than what’s generally available in 28-day programs.
With just two residents to every counsellor, Chatworth ensures that residents receive individualized attention and a tailored treatment plan.
Residents receive:
- Daily individual counselling
- Small group (6 participants) counselling
- Yoga
- Lectures
Phone: 866-931-2999
Drug Addiction Help Providers In Manitoba
Tamarack Recovery Centre in Winnipeg
Tamarack boasts a significantly high rate of sobriety post-treatment. It’s a 60-day residential program, allowing for 10-days post-detox and abstinence.
Tamarack describes itself as a home away from home, offering residential comforts and a family environment. Clients also get their own space and alone-time, with spacious bedrooms and individual counselling sessions.
Tamarack uses the following treatment approaches:
- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
- Physical, mental, and emotional recovery
- Transitional housing
- Addiction aftercare
Tamarack boasts an informative website with success stories from previous clients, demonstrating the success of the service and the quality of treatment.
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Phone: 204-772-9836
Email: info@tamarackrecovery.org
Address: 60 Balmoral Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Aurora Recovery Centre in Gimli
Aurora offers a full-scale rehab for drug addiction, with a wide range of specialist services including:
- Personalized addiction recovery plan
- An on-site medical detox facility
- Residential in-patient treatment
- Recovery program
- Transitional housing
- Family healing
- Training program for professionals
Aurora’s philosophy is that drug addiction is a treatable illness. With an approach that recognizes that addiction is highly treatable, Aurora provides expert care that involves the patient’s loved ones and builds a robust foundation of recovery.
The treatment center offers:
- Nutritious meals
- Semi-private rooms
- Fitness classes
- Safe and private environment
- Financing for those who need support
Phone: 1-204-642-8058
Email: info@aurorarecoverycentre.com
Drug Addiction Help Providers In Saskatchewan
Pine Lodge Treatment Centre in Indian Head
Pine Lodge is an inpatient drug and alcohol addiction help centre providing 28 days of treatment, backed by the 12 step program.
Pine Lodge offers programs that are totally customized to meet the needs of each client as an individual, with an evidence-based approach that focuses on what is proven to work.
Counsellors are trained in the following therapeutic areas:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Motivational Enhancement and Interviewing
- Conflict Resolution
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Group Therapy
Phone 306-695-2251:
Address: 211 Otterloo Street, Indian Head
Email: pinelodge@sasktel.net
Prairie Sky Recovery Centre in Wilkie
Prairie Sky offers evidence-based addiction treatment programs that holistically address the person’s physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional healing.
The diverse range of residential treatment plans offered caters to individuals at every stage of the recovery process, from detox to relapse prevention to complete healing and reintegration.
Prairie Sky has a culture of respect, where patients and staff are on the same level playing field and treated with the utmost respect. The centre facilitates a fun, joyful environment where patients can find hope for a better tomorrow and feel motivated to succeed.
Many staff members at Praire Sky have a lived experience of addiction, so can come from a place of understanding. Staff members are specialized counsellors, social workers, and psychotherapists working with patients on a day-to-day basis.
Phone: 1-888-519-4445
For Other Canadian Provinces, Refer To The Canada Drug Rehab Website
If you’re based in any other Canadian Province, from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia, the Canada Drug Rehab free directory can help you find the perfect addiction treatment centre.
The website is focused on addiction services, providing accurate, comprehensive, and user-friendly information to help you and your loved ones choose the best treatment option.
Andy Bhatti Interventions & Addiction Services Provides Drug Addiction Help Anywhere In The Country
For those seeking experienced, professional guidance with interventions, addiction treatment plans, and recovery support, Andy Bhatti can help.
With personal experience battling addiction, abuse, and trauma, Andy Bhatti uses his expertise to help adolescents, adults, and their loved ones seek treatment and heal.
Andy Bhatti’s intervention services help families to learn about their loved one’s addiction problem and plan an effective strategy to support their loved one throughout treatment. Intervention services include drugs and alcohol interventions, services for youth, families, and the Punjabi community.
Conclusion
Andy Bhatti is the only drug and alcohol intervention service in Canada that works closely with child psychologists and victims of childhood abuse.
By recognizing the deep-rooted causes of addiction, we can help people who are suffering to heal from their trauma and see a future where they can thrive.
Call our team today for immediate support. Healing starts here.