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...
OxyNEO Drug Abuse
Prescription drug abuse is being seen more and more among all ages and demographics. Painkillers, or Opioids, like Oxycodone and Methadone are some of the most commonly misused prescriptions. These medications can become very addictive if not effectively monitored by both patient and physician. In the last few years, Canada has seen many changes to the popular painkiller, Oxycontin. Manufacturers changed Oxycontin’s formula shortly before their patent on the painkiller expired (which would allow generic copies to be produced). While Oxycontin was originally developed as a slow-release painkiller, it was quickly learned that snorting or injected it allowed users to experience the drug’s entire effect all at once. Oxycontin’s New Identity This change in formula made Oxycontin (renamed OxyNEO) harder to abuse. When a person tries to alter OxyNEO for snorting or injection, it forms into a gel and becomes too gummy for such purposes. This change has garnered both support and criticism. Advocates believe OxyNEO lowers levels of abuse and addiction in addition to reducing the risk of fatal respiratory relapse. Others believed it only translates into different problems elsewhere. Outcomes of OxyNEO One of the problems noticed shortly after OxyNEO’s debut was a spike in heroin use. With the inability to use OxyNEO in the same ways as its predecessor, many people turned to the next closest substance – heroin. Heroin is much cheaper and easier to access than prescription opioids. But because illicit substances like heroin are not regulated, users do not know how much heroin they’re ingested or if there are other substances cut in. The risk of overdose, serious health complications, and death are much higher among heroin users. People have also found ways to abuse OxyNEO. A quick search on google will show you how to remove the plastic coating responsible for creating its gummy consistency. Approaching Substance Use Differently Simply removing or changing a substance does not counteract substance abuse or addiction issues within a community. People struggling with substance dependency will find other ways to stimulate their experiences while using substances. Not only is the adoption of substances like Heroin more dangerous, but heroin’s withdrawal symptoms can also be life-threatening. It’s difficult to know what stance you should take on issues like this, especially when authorities are so divided on solutions for people with mental health and addictions. Who do you believe? How do you know who is right and wrong? The truth is you can’t be black-and-white about it. There were likely some people who went into recovery after Oxycontin was taken off the market, meaning that the change worked for some. Additionally, not everyone prescribed Oxycontin in the past developed a dependency to it or the other painkillers than have been around for years. For this reason, unique, individualized approaches to opioid addictions are more effective than simply wiping something off the shelf (alcohol prohibition in the United States is a good example of this). The post OxyNEO Drug Abuse appeared first on Canada Drug...
Slip Vs Relapse
Families of individuals with addictions are not just an important part of treatment, but an important part of recovery (i.e. life after treatment). Relapse can be one of the biggest worries once loved ones return home from treatment, yet many can’t identify what true relapse looks like. TO complicate matters, there is no universally agreed upon definition for “relapse”. What is Relapse? While there are many definitions available, a relapse can be defined as “a return to previous levels of substance use or behaviour(s) after a period of improvement”. Generally, total relapse reflects a higher severity in the return to addictive behaviours. Many factors can influence relapse. To start, it’s not a sign or lacking willpower and control. Certain characteristics affect treatment outcomes and recovery. One study found those with higher self-efficacy, less avoidant coping styles, and a readiness to change showed better outcomes. In contrast, untreated concurrent mental health problems, multiple substance dependencies, and high impulsivity were linked to increased vulnerability for relapse. According to the same study, people experiencing mental health issues like distress, depression, and anxiety are also at higher risk for relapse. Negative emotions account for 30% of relapses and increase the chances of a ‘slip’ turning into relapse. What is a Slip? A slip is defined as “a break in abstinence” or “the act or instance of back-sliding”. A popular belief is that slips are not as detrimental as relapse. The belief is that it is different from relapse, because a slip is not a complete return to addictive behaviours. However, there are a number of people who don’t believe in slips; abstinence is “all or nothing” to them. Any consumption of substances is considered relapse. This belief doesn’t work for everyone. Behaviour & Process Addictions Adding to the confusion surrounding slips and relapse, are those with process addictions such as food, sex, video games, and internet use. For this group, it is not necessarily realistic to abstain permanently. For example, people with food or sex addiction need to develop moderate, healthy sexual or eating behaviours. Harm Reduction Definitions of relapse and slips also become confusing when the definition of recovery shifts from the traditional view of abstinence to moderate removal. For example, individuals with opioid addiction may need to taper in order to achieve long-term recovery. They may even need to use other painkillers to ease an injury or recover from surgery in the future. Recovery is not a State, it’s a Process Recovery is a learning process and a slip or relapse may be a necessary part of that individual’s learning. Individuals who slip or relapse learn more about themselves and better ways to prevent slips in the future. Relapse can also be a sign of boredom and a lack of meaning and purpose. Individuals who slip or relapse have an opportunity to look at their life and find ways to make it more meaningful. This insight can greatly improve their recovery and prevent relapse in the future. Your Role As friends and families, it’s important not to react drastically to a loved one’s slip or relapse. Our negative reactions can translate into failure in their eyes. This sense of failure can cause your loved one to believe they’re hopeless and return to old patterns. Individuals with more supportive relationships with families and friends show better treatment and recovery outcomes. The post Slip Vs Relapse appeared first on Canada Drug...
Family Support for Daughter’s Drug Use in BC
This family wanted information on how to talk to their daughter about using substances. She struggled with drugs in the past and stopped using on her own, but they suspect she is using again. They want to know how to provide safe environment so they talk to her about recovery in non-threatening way. We suggested the following options/steps: Set up couple/family therapy sessions to help Contact the mental and addictions office to see if they have any services for affected loved ones Attend traditional meetings groups like al-anon and narcanon Find tips in our family resources Find tips in our enabling and boundaries page We told this family that once they know how to approach their daughter, they should call us back to get treatment resources for her once she chooses to seek recovery. Here is a counsellor in Maple Ridge that might be best suited for your needs: Miller, Sandy – MA, RCC Oakhill Counselling and Mediation Services 200-11830-223 Street, Maple Ridge Phone: (604) 607-1035 Note: Sandy has over 20 years experience working with individuals, couples, and families on issues such as trauma/abuse, addictions, grief, gender identity issues, and health issues. MENTAL HEALTH and ADDICTION OFFICE Here is your local mental health and addiction office. I would contact them to see if the can provide any support for affected family members. Alouette Addiction Services 22477 Lougheed Highway Phone: (604) 467-5179. Note: Also serves families and has support groups including a dual diagnosis support group. Hours are 8:30 to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday (closed noon hour). MEETING GROUPS Al-Anon/Alateen 101-3680 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V5K 2A9 Phone: (604) 688-1716 Website: www.bcyukon-al-anon.org E-mail: afgcentraloffice@shaw.ca Nar-Anon British Columbia or Nar-Anon Vancouver PO Box 38734 126 W 3rd St. Vancouver, BC V7M 3N1 Phone: (604) 878-8844 Website: www.nar-anonbcregion.org E-mail: naranonbc@shaw.ca Additional Websites: (1) Nar-Anon Vancouver (2) http://www.naranonchat.com/ (3) Online Al-Anon Outreach Here is the link to resources page for families: http://www.sunshinecoasthealthcentre.ca/family-addiction-help/ There is a ton of information on this page that you can read through to find out what’s relevant for you and your situation. From the family help page I have pulled a list of printed resources for boundaries and enabling: Addictive Relationships: Reclaiming Your Boundaries (1989) Joy Miller Better Boundaries: Owning and Treasuring Your Life (1997) Jan Black, Greg Enns Boundaries – Where You End And I Begin: How To Recognize And Set Healthy Boundaries (1994) Anne Katherine Boundaries and Relationships: Knowing, Protecting and Enjoying the Self (1993) Charles Whitfield Boundaries in Marriage (1999) Henry Cloud and John Townsend Boundaries in Marriage – Participant’s Guide (2002) Henry Cloud and John Townsend Boundaries: When to say Yes, When to Say No, To Take Control of Your Life (1992) Henry Cloud and John Townsend Where to Draw the Line: How to Set Healthy Boundaries Every Day (2000) Anne...
Mutual Support Groups in Vancouver, BC
Rachael, a professional, called us looking to get contacts from other agencies and meetings groups that are well attended so she can spread the word about her event. If you are also a professional looking for ideas on spreading awareness surrounding an addiction treatment service or advocacy event, this blog may be helpful. We suggest getting in touch with the Vancouver Intergroup Society to find out which Metro Vancouver meetings are attended most. They will have more information then we do. Since we provide information on a national level for people looking to for various resources relative to addiction, our knowledge of which meetings are more attended than others is not going to be very strong. Here’s what information we do have, which might give you a headstart. This page hosts a wealth of information for meeting groups, therapists, outpatient offices, residential treatment programs, and medical options (doctors, clinics, detox, etc): Vancouver Addiction Resources This agency is a great advocate for addicts and the professionals that help them: Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) 380 E. Hastings St., Vancouver Phone: (604) 683-6061 Description: Promotes health through user-based peer support, education, and outreach. Provides stipends for harm reduction, needle exchange, and street programming at Carnegie Centre. This is all the contact for the meetings. I have highlighted the intergroup society. They are very helpful. I have called in several times to help other clients of mine. Regional Mutual Support Group Contact Information Al-Anon/Alateen Phone: (604) 688-1716 Note: See the Kelowna section for the BC Interior Office and the Victoria section for the Vancouver Island Office. Alcoholics Anonymous – BC Yukon Area 79 Phone: (604) 435-2181 Email: info@bcyukonaa.org Alcoholics Anonymous – Greater Vancouver Intergroup Society 3457 Kingsway, Vancouver Phone: (604) 434-3933 Note: See the Victoria section for the AA Central Office in Victoria. Alcoholics Anonymous – Area 78 Note: Covers North Eastern BC (Peace River area) and South Eastern BC (East Kootenays). Alcoholics Anonymous – Area 92 (Washington State East Area) Note: Covers South Eastern BC AA meetings (Nakusp, Slocan, Kaslo, Winlaw, Fruitvale, New Denver, Nelson, Castlegar, Trail and Salmo). Cocaine Anonymous – BC Area 131 – 19567 Fraser Highway, Surrey Phone: (604) 662-8500 Toll-free: 1(800) 662-8300 Nar-Anon British Columbia or Nar-Anon Vancouver Phone: (604) 878-8844 Narcotics Anonymous – BC Region Phone: (604) 873-1018 Narcotics Anonymous – Canadian Assembly Winnipeg, Manitoba Narcotics Anonymous – Chinook Area Calgary, Alberta Phone: (403) 569-3427 Note: covers NA meetings for Cranbrook, Fernie, and Kimberley SMART Recovery Vancouver Phone: (604) 714-3480...
Fraser Valley Health Authority Detox Units
The mother in this blog, Kelly*, was looking strictly for detox. She knew about the public detoxes in FVHA and said that she’d been using our site for weeks to find support resources for her son and herself. Her son, Adam*, remained sober for 8.5 months after treatment at Visionquest (a ministry of health facility). He has been using heroin and opiates for 10 years and has been in and out of residential treatment programs and jail for much of his young adult life. Kelly really wants to help get Adam sober so that she could help him stabilize again. We gave her the fee-for-service options that will provide detox without needing them to complete treatment. Kelly was originally interested in Orchard Recovery’s 10-day program because they will support Adam through his withdrawals, but she wasn’t aware he’d be required to participate in treatment as well. After explaining the fee-for- detox options, we discussed how Sunshine Coast Health Centre’s program may be a better fit when seeking treatment because of the strong mental health, non 12-step, evidence-based components. Adam would also see a psychiatrist to help diagnose mental health conditions. Sunshine Coast Health Center 2174 Fleury Road Powell River, BC V8A 0H8 Phone: (604) 487-9010 Toll-free: 1(866) 487-9010 E-Mail: info@schc.ca Description: A private program for men including medically-supervised detox, masters-level therapists, on-site recreation, psychiatric assessment, refresher courses (aftercare), online support (aftercare), and a family and couples program. Program length is 30, 42, 60, and 90 days while returning alumni have more flexible lengths of stay. Orchard Recovery and Treatment Center Bowen Island, BC Phone: (604) 947-0420 Toll-free: 1(866) 233-2299 Description: An established and well-respected treatment program. There is a supervised detox on site for withdrawals. They have programs ranging from 10 up to 90 days. This program will detox and offer 10 days of treatment for $6000. RECOVER FOR GOOD Summit-Bridge Consulting Group Vancouver, BC Phone: (604) 725-0121 Toll free: 1.800.726.4075 (Ask for Arnold Mulessa) Website: www.summit-bridge.com Email: info@recoverforgood.com Description: Arnold provides mobile home detox and sober companionship. You would either offer him a room in your home (if available) or put him up somewhere. He will see you through your withdrawals, if any. He would help you develop a recovery community and change patterns like drinking in the evening everyday. You would be able to continue to go to appointments and live life as normal, except you would have Arnold to help you get through the day until new patterns have been established. You don’t need to go to any programs and have them fit your needs, Arnold would give you 24/7 care in your home with complete one-on-one...
