Find Meetings in BC
One of our top types of calls in people looking for meetings. It appears that online searches for peer support groups is challenging for many of those in need, especially in BC. We hope to help ease future searches for meetings and peer support with this blog. Here is a link to all peer support groups in BC: http://www.canadadrugrehab.ca/British-Columbia-NA-AA-Narcotic-Anonymous-Alcoholic-Anonymous-Meeting.html#mutual There are a variety of different peer support groups on the webpage such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, secular support groups such as LifeRing and Smart Recovery, and family support groups like Al-Anon and Co-Dependents Anonymous. This is the contact information for AA meetings in all of BC: Alcoholics Anonymous (BC Yukon Area 79) PO Box 42114 Vancouver, BC V5S 4R5 Phone: (604) 435-2181 E-mail: info@bcyukonaa.org Website: www.bcyukonaa.org On the BC Yukon area 79 website, you can search for meetings nearby or all over BC, by clicking on different areas of the map. If you need assistance finding other recovery resources, contact us by emailor...
Detox and Treatment for Multiple Addictions
Doug* is Rebecca’s stepfather. He has been apart of her life for over 15 years. Doug in his own words always treated Rebecca* like his own daughter. He always wanted to help her or be there for her. She has always been a drinker according to him. According to Doug, Rebecca has estranged herself from the family. She’s always kept herself a minimum of arms length if not more from the family. They often go years without speaking to one another. This last bout lasted about 8ish years. When Rebecca moved to Victoria, she drank heavily. She’s been in and out of bad relationships and Doug thinks her most recent relationship got her hooked on cocaine and, maybe, methamphetamines. She’s left Victoria and believed to floating around in Surrey. Doug and Rebecca’s mother live in Aldergrove. They know that a public treatment program is likely not going to meet Rebecca’s needs. Doug wants to be ready with resources if she contacts them, so he contacted us to get information for programs that will be able to help her deal with a strong dependence of alcohol and new addiction to substances. Here’s what we offered him: DETOX UNITS This is the closest medically serviced withdrawal unit to you. They will see Rebecca through her withdrawals should if she chooses a treatment program not including detox. Creekside Withdrawal Management Centre 13740 94 A Avenue, Surrey, BC V3V 1N1 Phone: (604) 587-3755 ext.1 (adults) Phone: (604) 587-3755 ext.2 (youth) A 30-bed detox unit located on the grounds of Surrey Memorial Hospital. Creekside has 24 adult and 6 youth beds. PRIVATE, REPUTABLE TREATMENT PROGRAMS NON 12 STEP PROGRAM Life Science Addiction Treatment Center 114 Rue Kimpton, Rigaud, QC J0P 1P0 Contact Person: Marjorie Clark (Clinical director) Phone: (450) 451-9995 Fax: (450) 451-9995 Website: www.life-science.ca E-Mail: info@life-science.ca This is a fee-for-service co-ed treatment program for adults 18+. There are 30, 60, 90 day primary treatment programs with a 10 day maintenance program. They charge $8,000 for 30 days (extensions up to 90 days can happen). They use evidence and best practices model. They want to work with the client and design a treatment program that works best for them. They will help with implementing proper coping strategies in regards to stress. Treatment takes place in a home like environment in a rural area of Quebec. It is an English speaking program. If necessary you will be seen by a psychiatrist for mental health assessment and treatment, as well as an addiction medicine doctor. This program is good for people who need significant and behavioural therapies. However, this program will require that Vanessa be sober prior to admission, as they do not have detox on site. TRADITIONAL 12 STEP PROGRAMS with a HOLISTIC MODEL Orchard Recovery Center 811 Grafton Road Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2 Contact Person: Joanna Journet Phone: (604) 947-0420 Toll-free: 1(866) 233-2299 Note: a private co-ed residential treatment center. Orchard charges $14,000+tax for their 28-day program. The director at this centre has been there for a long time which is a good indication that this program is going to offer you what is on the website. They are an established well respected treatment program. There is a supervised detox on site and they will see her though her withdrawals. They have programs that range up to 90 days. Leipzig Serenity Retreat Box 535, Wilkie, SK S0K 4W0 Contact: Ardyth or Jacqueline Phone: (306) 658-4767 E-Mail: leipziginfo@sasktel.net Website: www.leipzigserenityretreat.com A private co-ed residential treatment facility based on the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. A no frills 12-step program with lots of counselling in...
30-Year-Old Male with Cocaine Addiction
Aaron*, 30-year-old male from Cloverdale BC, contacted us looking for a residential treatment program in the Okanagan to treat his cocaine addiction. After speaking to Aaron for a little longer on the phone, we learned he’s also on disability. He also desired to move away from the lower mainland and, thus, was interested in knowing his options outside of the GVRD. We talked about the various public programs and what health authorities want from you when seeking treatment. We also focused on FVHA and IHA treatment programs at his request. ASSESSMENT AND OUTPATIENT This is the office we suggested Aaron use as a start point for getting referred into treatment. Surrey Mental Health & Addictions #1100 13401 108th Avenue, phone: (604) 953-4900 Intake hours: 1:30 pm to 3 pm M-F Regular office hours are 8:30 to 4:30 pm M-F. This is also the place Aaron can look into receiving outpatient treatment as a temporary solution while he awaits approval and funding for public treatment. To treat concurrent mental illnesses and addiction there is a concurrent disorder specialist, but a referral is first required from an in-house case worker. RESIDENTIAL After guiding Aaron through the assessment process, we provided Aaron with the many BC options for treatment. This is a link to where we maintain an updated list of treatment options for people looking to get help: http://www.canadadrugrehab.ca/BC/British-Columbia-Residential-Alcohol-Drug-Rehab-Programs.html#adult This is a list of programs funded by the FVHA (Fraser Valley Health Authority) The MRTC (Maple Ridge treatment Centre) King Haven (Abbotsford) The Burnaby centre for mental health and addiction We also talked heavily about a program in Kelowna, BC that may suit Aaron’s needs: (However, it can take up to 12 weeks to get admitted depending on when Aaron applies, so it may not be his best option depending on the next intake date) Bridgeway – Intensive Residential treatment 760 Hwy 33 W. Kelowna, BC V1X 6A9 Phone: (250) 763-0456 ext. 402 Fax: (250) 868-7791 Email: info@thebridgeservices.ca Website: www.thebridgeservices.ca/intensive-residential-treatment For adults who are 19+. Clients need to be sober and stable prior to admission. There are 20 beds within this alternating 6-week gender-specific treatment program. Methadone clients are accepted. OUR FINAL SUGGESTIONS We suggested Aaron call the mental health office in Surrey, book an appointment for an assessment/referral and then contact the treatment programs. Aaron will need to do his homework for each the programs and figure out which one he would really like to get into. We also linked him to this set of questions that we recommend all individuals searching for treatment ask potential facilities. The benefit of setting up treatment this way is that when Aaron goes for his assessment appointment at the Mental Health office to talk about referrals, he will have the necessary information and packages for the programs he wants to attend. Not only will it help speed up the treatment program, it shows Aaron has initiative. Here is another set of questions if individuals are looking to go the next step when finding treatment for themselves or a loved one. Using these following questions in conjunction with our primary questions as part of a checklist will help people evaluate treatment options and compare the services of different facilities operating. This may seem like overkill for some and that might be the case. It may also be immensely useful for others who need above average information in order to decide on a treatment program. A successful organization will be able to answer all these questions without difficulty. Afterwards, you may be surprised by the answers you receive from the treatment centres and how that affects...
