TREATMENT CENTRES
Choosing Structured Care

Residential Addiction Treatment in Alberta

A plain-language guide to public programs, private treatment, inpatient care, and recovery communities

// Understanding Residential Addiction Treatment in Alberta

If you are searching for addiction treatment in Alberta, this page brings together a big-picture list of residential addiction treatment centres, inpatient recovery programs, publicly funded options, AHS-linked services, private treatment centres, and recovery communities across Calgary, Edmonton, Central Alberta, Northern Alberta, and Southern Alberta.

Not all treatment centres are built the same — and I wish someone had told me that early on. Some lean hard into 12-Step. Some are faith- or spiritually-based. Some are clinical and skills-focused. Some prioritize connection and community above everything else. Some are better suited for short-term stabilization, while others are long-term recovery communities. The differences matter.

This page is not here to sell you on one program. It is here to help you understand the landscape before you make a decision that affects your life, your family, your money, your time, and your recovery.

A few terms you'll see throughout this section. Different centres use different language — these definitions decode what you're looking at:

Jump to Treatment Centres

  • Quick Reference

    • RTC (Residential Treatment Centre): You live there full-time for the duration of treatment — meals, groups, curfews, the whole setup. This is what many people mean when they search for inpatient rehab or residential addiction treatment.
    • Inpatient Rehab: A common search term for live-in addiction treatment. In Alberta, programs may use terms like residential treatment, bed-based treatment, recovery community, or treatment centre instead.
    • PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program): A highly structured, full-day program you attend during the day but don't stay overnight.
    • IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program): Several treatment sessions per week — more flexible than PHP, but still structured and skills-focused.
    • OAT (Opioid Agonist Therapy): Medications such as Suboxone, Methadone, or Kadian used to stabilize opioid dependence and support recovery.
    • MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment): A broader term that includes OAT plus other medications used to support addiction recovery, such as naltrexone or acamprosate.
    • 12-Step Based: Programs where AA/NA philosophy, meetings, sponsorship, step work, or Big Book teachings form a major part of the recovery model.
    • Trauma-Informed: Staff are trained to avoid re-traumatization and promote safety — not the same as trauma therapy.
    • Concurrent-Capable: Centres equipped to support addiction and mental health conditions at the same time. This matters if you are dealing with depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, psychosis, or other mental health concerns alongside substance use.

    Wherever possible, I've included what each centre actually offers — length of stay, treatment style, population served, referral pathway, application notes, and what to ask before committing. The goal isn't to declare which place is best. It's to give you enough information to say: "This might fit me better than that."

    I've been direct elsewhere on this site about the ways many programs fall short on deep trauma work — even when they call themselves trauma-informed. That criticism stands. But there is something many programs can still do well: safety and stabilization. Treatment gives you a structured, contained environment long enough for your brain to clear, your body to regulate, and your energy to shift from "just surviving" to "okay, what's next?"

    Think of inpatient or residential addiction treatment as stabilization plus forward planning. No facility resolves a lifetime of addiction in 30–90 days — that's not an indictment of the system, it's just reality. But it can give you the footing to continue the deeper work once you leave.

    This section is here to help you:

    • Understand how different addiction treatment centres in Alberta operate — modality, population, length of stay, and referral process
    • Compare publicly funded treatment, private rehab, AHS-linked services, and recovery communities
    • Set realistic expectations around wait times, rules, cost, phone access, smoking policies, and daily structure
    • Identify what kind of environment and approach might actually work for you
    • Plan ahead so treatment becomes a launchpad into trauma-specific therapy, not a one-off event
    Before You Apply

    The five questions that come up most, answered plainly. How long the wait really is, what these programs actually differ on, how long you would be there, what daily life inside is like, and who pays.

    Wait times are real, and they can be long. Weeks to months in some cases. That's brutal when you've finally reached the point of "I need help now."

    The system rarely meets us where we are in the exact moment we're ready. You get there, you reach out, and you find out it could be months — and that gap can be enough to make the whole thing feel pointless. If that's happened to you before, I get it.

    Here's the thing: that time is going to pass anyway. You might as well spend it moving up a list instead of wondering "what if."

    The most practical move? Get your applications in as soon as possible. It's almost always better to:

    • Put your name on multiple waitlists now
    • Complete intake paperwork while you're motivated
    • Call AHS, Recovery Alberta, or the treatment centre directly to confirm current intake steps
    • Be in a position where you might need to turn down a bed later, rather than have no options at all

    You are not wasting anyone's time by applying before you feel 100% ready. Getting on a list is how you give your future self options. You can always reassess when a bed opens.

    Run multiple applications at once — I recommend it. If a spot opens and it isn't your ideal program, take it seriously anyway; you can always transition if something better comes up later. Programs may not love this approach. I don't care — my aim is to get you the most informed path forward with the best odds of success.

    Where I can, I've included direct links to application pages. If you're not ready to do everything at once, that's fine. Today, maybe you just read through a couple that interest you and write their names down. Next time, you come back and review. After that, you fill one out and hit send. That's it. This page is here when you need it — piece by piece, or all at once.

    "Treatment" isn't one thing. Across Alberta you'll find:

    • Faith-based programs rooted in Christian or spiritual frameworks
    • 12-Step heavy programs where AA, NA, CA, meetings, sponsorship, or Big Book teachings form the core curriculum
    • Clinical models using counselling, CBT, DBT skills, relapse prevention, psychoeducation, and case planning
    • Culture- and land-based healing in Indigenous-led or Indigenous-serving programs
    • Recovery communities where peer support, shared accountability, daily structure, and connection are the primary therapeutic framework
    • Concurrent-disorder programs that are better equipped to support addiction and mental health concerns together

    I've flagged the main modalities for each centre — whether they're 12-Step oriented, faith-based, Indigenous-led, trauma-informed, concurrent-capable, skills-based, community-based, or clinically focused.

    None of these are automatically good or bad. The real question is: "Does this environment and philosophy line up with what I can actually engage in?" If you shut down around spiritual language, a heavily faith-based program may be a poor fit. If you thrive in ritual, structure, prayer, or ceremony, that same kind of program might be exactly what your nervous system needs.

    Most centres don't fully resolve trauma — but many can still do a solid job of stabilizing body, routine, thinking, and immediate risk so that trauma-specific work can actually land later.

    Remember: trauma-informed care ≠ trauma treatment. If you need trauma-specific therapy, ask directly whether it's offered. If it's not — which is common — use treatment for stabilization, then build a plan for dedicated trauma work after.

    Across Alberta addiction treatment centres, you'll usually see:

    • Short-term programs: roughly 18–30 days
    • Medium-term programs: roughly 60–90 days
    • Long-term recovery communities: 6–12 months or more

    Honest recommendation — especially if your history includes trauma, repeated relapse, homelessness, unstable relationships, severe anxiety, or a long pattern of falling apart after brief periods of sobriety. Aim longer, not shorter.

    Thirty days is often just enough time to:

    • Stop shaking and sleeping like shit
    • Start eating normal meals and feeling semi-human
    • Get a small amount of clarity back
    • Begin noticing the emotional mess underneath the substance use

    And then you're dropped back into the exact environment that kept you sick.

    If you can manage it, 90 days is a much better baseline. It gives you time to:

    • Stabilize physically and emotionally
    • Actually absorb the material instead of just surviving withdrawal
    • Notice patterns that don't show up in the first two weeks
    • Build a discharge plan before panic takes over
    • Map out next steps before you leave — therapy, trauma-focused treatment, housing, support, meetings, outpatient care, or medical follow-up

    Going to treatment affects your life and the people around you. If you're going to hit pause, let it be long enough to matter. Overestimating the time you need is almost always safer than underestimating it and ending up right back where you started.

    Every centre is different, and I'm not going to label programs as good or bad based on vibe alone. A lot of that is subjective, and online reviews are usually written by people in extreme emotion — which tells you more about their state than about the full picture of the program.

    That said, some things are consistent across most structured residential addiction treatment programs:

    • Limited or no cell phone access — especially early on
    • Strict rules around passes, visitors, and outings
    • Curfews, schedules, and group attendance are usually non-negotiable
    • Chores and community responsibilities — cleaning, dishes, shared upkeep
    • Group work, even when you don't feel like talking
    • Consequences if you break rules, leave without approval, bring substances on-site, or use during the program
    • No Smoking / Vaping / Nicotine Pouches. Many AHS facilities are smoke-free, including vaping, and some programs are moving toward fully nicotine-free environments. Not universal — call ahead to confirm. Patches, lozenges, and nicotine sprays may be available on-site.

      Please don't let this be the thing that stops you. I know exactly what it feels like to clock a no-smoking sign and start scanning for the exit. Don't walk away from life-saving care because you can't spark a dart in the parking lot.

    It can feel like having your wings clipped. In many cases, that's exactly what's needed for a while. You're not there to prove you can live independently. You're there to get stable enough to build something different when you leave.

    The structure is not the whole solution. But when your life has been chaos, structure can become the first container strong enough to hold you while you get your footing back.

    For the programs listed on this page, many AHS-operated, AHS-contracted, Recovery Alberta-linked, or publicly funded treatment centres are low-cost or no-cost for eligible Alberta residents. That typically means:

    • No program fee for the core treatment stay in many publicly funded programs
    • No private insurance required for admission to publicly funded treatment
    • Access may still require an Alberta Health Care number, referral, income support approval, or confirmation of eligibility
    • Some recovery houses or transitional programs may still involve room and board, rent, or monthly fees

    Some programs on this list are semi-private, recovery housing, post-treatment residences, or transitional living programs, where:

    • The treatment portion may be funded
    • Room and board may be covered through AISH, Alberta Works, other income supports, or a modest monthly fee
    • Funding rules may depend on income, program type, referral pathway, or eligibility criteria

    Fully private rehab centres are a different story. Fee-for-service, often thousands per month. If someone is asking for large up-front payments, you're dealing with the private system — not a standard publicly funded treatment bed.

    When you call, ask directly:

    • "Is your program publicly funded?"
    • "Are there any fees I need to plan for?"
    • "How are room and board handled?"
    • "Do I need Alberta Health Care coverage?"
    • "Do I need a referral from AHS, Recovery Alberta, a doctor, detox, or an addiction counsellor?"
    • "Can I apply myself, or does a clinician need to apply for me?"

    Money is a real barrier. It shouldn't be the thing that stops you from getting treatment. There are more funded addiction treatment options in Alberta than most people realize — you just have to know where to look and what to ask.

    Treatment isn't a magic reset. It's a contained space where, for a period of time, your only real job is to stay, show up, and let your system stabilize enough to think clearly again.

    You don't have to love the rules, the schedule, or every group session. You don't have to feel ready every day. You just have to keep not leaving.

    The goal is simple: walk out with more stability than you walked in with, and with at least one concrete next step lined up — especially if that step involves trauma-focused therapy, outpatient support, housing, medical care, peer support, or a safer daily routine.

    Below you'll find residential addiction treatment centres, inpatient recovery programs, and recovery communities across Alberta, organized by region.

    Residential & Inpatient Addiction Treatment in Alberta

    Structured treatment programs offering therapy, stabilization, skill-building, and recovery planning beyond detox.

    How to Use This List

    These are residential and inpatient addiction treatment programs across Alberta. Unlike detox, treatment addresses the psychological, behavioral, and social roots of substance use — typically over weeks or months, not days.

    Programs vary widely in approach: abstinence-based and 12-Step models, concurrent mental health care, structured recovery communities, and more. Length of stay, eligibility, and referral pathways differ by program. Confirm current wait times, referral requirements, and funding eligibility directly with the program before taking any steps.

    This list is organized by region and prioritizes clarity over promotion.

    About this list:
    Every listing has been manually sourced and reviewed, with details drawn from official websites, application forms, phone contacts, and publicly available materials. Where some entries are more detailed than others, this reflects the availability of verifiable information — not a lack of effort. Where something is unclear or unsupported, it is simplified or omitted intentionally.

    A note on trauma:
    None of the programs listed are endorsed by Recover-You as trauma-specific treatment providers based on publicly available information. This does not mean trauma goes unaddressed — only that clear evidence of trauma-focused treatment methods was not found.

    Some listings note where language such as "trauma-informed" or support for co-occurring disorders (including PTSD) was identified — but no specific trauma-focused modalities were confirmed in the available information.

    If trauma treatment matters to you, ask direct questions before committing: what specific therapies are used, how trauma is processed, and what training staff have in this area. Speaking from personal experience, the "trauma-informed" label is applied loosely, and finding out it meant next to nothing — after you've already committed — is devastating. Many programs are not equipped to provide dedicated trauma treatment. Clarify this before you go in.

    If you spot an error, outdated detail, or gap in coverage, or know of a program that should be listed, get in touch.

    Service details reviewed August 2026. Programs, funding, and intake rules change. Confirm directly before applying or travelling.

    Explore by Location

    Find treatment across Alberta.

    Hover or focus a marker to see the centres in that area. Select a marker to jump to the detailed regional list.

    Fort McMurray Grande Prairie Bonnyville Edmonton Gunn Blackfoot Nordegg Red Deer Drumheller Calgary Ponoka Claresholm Lethbridge
    Directory at a glance 32 centres

    Across 13 approximate map locations and five regional sections.

    Select any marker to jump to its listing
    Jump to a Zone
    Calgary Central Edmonton North South
    Calgary Region
    Treatment Centres

    • // Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre (AARC)


      Calgary Zone

      Description:
      AARC provides a long-term, community-based addiction recovery program for adolescents that combines structured programming, peer support, and intensive family involvement. The model includes both residential and non-residential phases, with a strong emphasis on accountability, routine, and sustained engagement over time.

      Demographic:
      Youth (typically ages 12–21)

      Length of Stay:
      Long-term (typically 1–5+ years)
      Includes multiple phases (residential and community-based)

      Modality:

      • Long-term structured recovery model
      • Residential live-in phases
      • Group-based programming
      • Family therapy and required parent/guardian involvement
      • Education support and structured daily routine
      • Community-based continuing care and reintegration

      This is a high-commitment, long-term recovery program, not a short-term treatment stay. Participation involves multiple program phases and sustained involvement from both the youth and their family.

      Call Website Request Pre-Assessment

      Application note:
      Entry begins with a pre-assessment process, typically initiated by contacting AARC directly. Admission involves evaluation of suitability for the program and readiness for long-term participation.

      Important access note:
      This program requires significant family involvement and a multi-year commitment. It may not be suitable for individuals seeking short-term stabilization or standalone residential treatment.

    • // Alcove Recovery Centre for Women


      Calgary Zone

      Description:
      Alcove provides trauma-informed, abstinence-based residential treatment for women, run across four houses so that a woman can move from primary treatment into transitional and then independent sober living without changing organizations. One stream is for women who are pregnant or parenting young children, who may live on-site with their children.

      Demographic:
      Women (18+), including pregnant women and mothers of young children

      Length of Stay:
      12 weeks for primary residential treatment, longer if continuing through the transitional and sober-living houses

      Modality:

      • Trauma-informed, gender-specific residential treatment
      • Abstinence-based 12-step model
      • Daily group and individual counselling
      • Parenting and family-focused programming
      • Life-skills and relapse-prevention education
      • Staged continuing care through transitional and sober-living housing

      Program Structure:

      • Elderberry House: 12-week primary residential treatment.
      • Willow House: 12-week residential treatment for pregnant or parenting women, children on-site.
      • Aspen House: short-term transitional living after the 12 weeks.
      • Juniper House: longer-term sober housing for women working or in school.
      • Online program: 4 weeks, 20 sessions, Monday to Thursday, led by recovery coaches. For women exploring treatment, waiting for a bed, or coming home after treatment. $100 fee, $25 refunded on completion. Applied for separately.

      This is a primary residential treatment program. It does not provide detox. Applicants must be clean and sober for at least 5 days before admission, gambling included, so detox is completed elsewhere first. Confirmed funding is expected at admission.

      Call Intake Website Online Program Admissions

      Application note:
      Residential intake begins with a phone assessment, not an online form. Call 587-576-3512 between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, Monday to Thursday. Women on the waitlist must check in daily by phone or email; a name is removed after two weeks without a check-in.

      Important access note:
      The daily check-in is the requirement people lose their place on. Voicemail counts if you give your name, the date, and say you are checking in. Availability for mothers with children depends on capacity.

    • // Aventa Centre of Excellence for Women


      Calgary Zone

      Description:
      Aventa is a women’s-only addiction treatment centre offering trauma-informed programming, including intensive residential treatment for women with substance use and concurrent disorders.

      Demographic:
      Women (18+)

      Length of Stay:
      7 weeks for the Phase II program
      90 days for the Young Adult program (ages 18 to 24)

      Modality:

      • Trauma-informed and gender-responsive programming
      • Specialized programs (e.g., “Trauma Recovery Program” – Level 3)
      • Group and individual therapy
      • Psychoeducation
      • Concurrent-disorder support
      • Multiple program levels with varying lengths of stay
      Call Website Apply

      Important note:
      Recover-You does not endorse Aventa as a trauma-specific treatment provider. Descriptive language used here reflects publicly available program information. Individuals seeking trauma-specific care are strongly encouraged to ask direct, detailed questions about trauma training, therapeutic modalities, and staff qualifications during the application process.

    • // Calgary Dream Centre


      Calgary Zone

      Description:
      The Calgary Dream Centre is a faith-based residential recovery program for men, rooted in Christian teachings, offering a structured 90-day recovery program alongside transitional housing options. Programming focuses on stabilization, life-skills development, vocational training, and community reintegration.

      Demographic:
      Men (18+)
      (Women's housing available separately through Housing Solutions program — not a residential treatment stream)

      Length of Stay:
      90 days (residential recovery program)
      Longer-term transitional housing available post-program for eligible individuals

      Modality:

      • Structured residential recovery program (faith-integrated)
      • Individual and group counselling
      • Relapse prevention and psychoeducation
      • Life-skills and vocational training
      • Spiritual development (Christian framework)
      • Alumni and continuing care community
      • Transitional housing support post-program
      Call Website Apply

      Application note:
      Submit the online application form, then call 403-245-9050 to book your assessment. Aventa states in capitals on its own form that the call is required; an application on its own does not move you forward. Intake line is Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Applicants must be Alberta residents with a valid health card, medically stable, and abstinent for 5 to 14 days before admission. There is no charge for Alberta residents with health coverage.

      Note:
      The Calgary Dream Centre is a faith-based program grounded in Christian teachings, where spirituality is part of the overall recovery approach. If you’re unsure whether this aligns with your preferences, it may be helpful to contact the centre directly to learn more about how spiritual elements are incorporated into daily programming.

    • // Fresh Start Recovery Centre (Calgary)


      Calgary Zone

      Description:
      Fresh Start is a long-term, abstinence-based residential addiction recovery program for men, grounded in community, peer support, and a 12-Step–integrated framework.

      Demographic:
      Men (18+)

      Length of Stay:
      16 weeks live-in

      Modality:

      • 12-Step–integrated recovery model
      • Group and individual counselling
      • Family programming
      • Life-skills development
      • Long-term residential stays with gradual transitions
      • Peer accountability across phases of recovery
      Call Website Apply

      Application note:
      Intake starts by phoning the front desk at 403-387-6266 for an assessment done over the phone. There is no online form. Fresh Start asks people on the waitlist to stay in daily contact, and admissions are triaged by need rather than by queue position. A 5-day detox must be completed before arrival.

      Important access note:
      Fresh Start Recovery requires daily phone check-ins to remain on the waitlist. Recover-You does not assess intent or motivation based on this requirement and recognizes that daily check-in policies can systematically disadvantage individuals with limited phone access, executive-function challenges, or unstable living circumstances — factors that are not indicators of readiness for treatment. Despite this limitation, Fresh Start remains a well-regarded program and may be a strong fit for the right individual.

    • // Last Door – Calgary Recovery Community


      Calgary Zone

      Description:
      The Calgary Recovery Community is a bed-based residential recovery program for adult men, operated by Last Door Recovery Society. The program follows a Recovery Community Model, emphasizing peer support, structured daily living, and community-based accountability.

      Demographic:
      Adult men (18+)

      Length of Stay:
      Typically 120 days to one year

      Modality:

      • Residential recovery program (bed-based)
      • Recovery Community Model
      • Peer support and shared accountability
      • Structured daily routine
      • Biopsychosocial approach to recovery
      • Continuing care and community reintegration support

      This is a residential recovery program, not detox or acute treatment. Individuals may be required to complete detox prior to admission.

      Call Website Call to Apply

      Application note:
      Intake is completed through a phone-based admissions process. Applicants are assessed for suitability and program availability prior to admission.

      Important access note:
      Admission is based on assessment and bed availability. Program expectations include participation in a structured daily environment and engagement in the recovery community.

      Important note:
      Recover-You does not verify or endorse Last Door as a trauma-specific treatment provider. Publicly available information indicates that their program addresses co-occurring disorders (including PTSD) within an integrated treatment model, with a range of clinical supports described; however, no trauma-specific treatment modalities are identified. Individuals seeking trauma-focused care are encouraged to ask detailed questions about staff training, therapeutic approaches, and how trauma is addressed within the program.

    • // NAM Recovery — NAM Niwas Residential Program


      Calgary Zone

      Description:
      The Northeast Addiction and Mental Health Centre for Holistic Recovery offers a licensed six-week residential addiction treatment program built around its Recovery Diamond model. The program integrates biological, psychological, social, and spiritual areas of recovery in a therapeutic-community setting.

      Demographic:
      Adult men and women, with separate residential accommodations

      Length of Stay:
      6 weeks

      Languages:
      Services are primarily available in English and Punjabi. NAM states it will make reasonable efforts to accommodate other languages.

      Modality:

      • Individual and group therapy
      • Recovery coaching
      • Therapeutic-community model
      • Breathwork, journaling, and self-regulation practices
      • Family and relationship rebuilding
      • Spiritual development and structured daily living
      • Yogic vegetarian meals

      Cost:
      NAM states that room, food, and utilities for NAM Niwas are funded. It publishes a $50 program-supplies fee and a $100 refundable security deposit. Confirm current coverage and costs during intake.

      Call Website Email Intake

      Application note:
      NAM is currently accepting inpatient applications. Walk-ins are not available. Contact the centre by phone or email to begin intake.

      Important access note:
      Prospective residents must commit to sobriety and to participating in the program's holistic and spiritual recovery model. Ask how that model fits your beliefs and clinical needs before applying.

    • // Recovery Acres Society (1835 House – Men | 1839 House – Women)


      Calgary Zone

      Description:
      Recovery Acres operates long-term, abstinence-based recovery residences for men and women, providing structured living environments with counselling, life-skills training, and reintegration support. Programming is built around a 12-Step–based model of recovery, with both residential and intensive outpatient (IOP) options available.

      Demographic:
      Men (1835 House)
      Women (1839 House)

      Length of Stay:
      Long-term (6–12+ months)

      Modality:

      • Structured residential environments
      • 12-Step–based recovery programming and community integration
      • Group and individual counselling
      • Life-skills and relapse-prevention education
      • Case management
      • Transitional housing and reintegration supports
      • Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) with structured daytime programming
      Call Website Apply

      Application note:
      Start on the Get Help page or call 403-245-1196. Recovery Acres describes its treatment as provincially funded at no cost to eligible Alberta residents.

      Important access note:
      Recovery Acres programming is centered on the 12-Step model, with required participation in recovery meetings and step-based programming. Individuals who prefer non-12-Step approaches may wish to confirm fit in advance.

    • // Simon House Recovery Centre


      Calgary Zone

      Description:
      A long-standing residential recovery program for men offering a structured, abstinence-based environment focused on stabilization, rehabilitation, and reintegration. Programming is delivered through a multi-pathway model that includes 12-Step–based recovery alongside SMART Recovery, Dharma Recovery, and Wellbriety approaches.

      Demographic:
      Men (18+)

      Length of Stay:
      Approximately 12 weeks (84-day residential program)

      Modality:

      • Structured residential treatment environment
      • Multi-pathway recovery model (12-Step, SMART, Dharma, Wellbriety)
      • Individual and group counselling
      • Psychoeducation and relapse prevention
      • Life-skills and employment readiness programming
      • Transition and reintegration planning

      Program overview: Simon House brochure (PDF) (last updated 2021, so treat specifics as dated and confirm by phone)

      Call Website Apply

      Application note:
      There is no online application form. Simon House asks you to call 403-247-2050 and talk through your situation with staff. The 12-week program is fully funded through AHS support and grants.

      Important access note:
      Simon House offers four pathways, 12-Step, Wellbriety, Recovery Dharma, and SMART Recovery, which is unusual and useful if 12-Step has not worked for you before. Programming is still 12-Step-rooted overall, so it is worth asking how the other three are actually run day to day.

    • // Sunrise Healing Lodge (NASS)


      Calgary Zone

      Description:
      Sunrise Healing Lodge, operated by Native Addictions Services Society (NASS), offers a structured addiction treatment program that blends Indigenous cultural healing practices with a 12-Step–based recovery model. Programming is available in both inpatient and outpatient formats to support flexibility in treatment access.

      Demographic:
      Adults (18+)
      (Indigenous-focused, open to all individuals)

      Length of Stay:
      70 days inpatient
      36 beds total across inpatient and outpatient streams

      Modality:

      • Indigenous cultural teachings, ceremonies, and land-based healing
      • 12-Step–integrated recovery programming
      • Group therapy and individual counselling
      • Psychoeducation and relapse-prevention programming
      • Life-skills development
      • Flexible inpatient and outpatient treatment streams

      Program details: Inpatient Program · Outpatient Program

      Call Admissions Administration Website Apply (Inpatient) Apply (Outpatient)

      Application note:
      Applications are completed on downloadable PDF forms, separate ones for inpatient and outpatient, and returned to admissions@nass.ca or the admissions line at 403-269-5567. A recent medical examination is required alongside the form, and full disclosure of legal history is mandatory. Outpatient runs as a 13-week program, a 4-week condensed version, or drop-in.

      Important access note:
      Applicants must be sober from all substances for 72 hours before admission. Sunrise states plainly that it is not a medical facility and has no medical staff, and that opioids (other than Sublocade) and benzodiazepines are not permitted. If you are on either, sort that out with the admissions line before applying. People who are incarcerated are not accepted. Programming integrates Indigenous cultural practice with a 12-Step framework.

    Central Zone
    Treatment Centres

    • // Concurrent Disorders Enhanced Service (CDES) – Centennial Centre, Ponoka


      Central Zone

      Description:
      The Concurrent Disorders Enhanced Service (CDES) provides specialized voluntary inpatient treatment for adults living with both severe mental illness and severe substance use. It runs out of the Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury in Ponoka, the facility formerly known as Alberta Hospital Ponoka, which is still how it is often referred to.

      Demographic:
      Adults 18 to 64
      AHS gives priority to people aged 18 to 24 and to pregnant women

      Length of Stay:
      22 days

      Modality:

      • Multidisciplinary psychiatric care (psychiatry, nursing, allied health)
      • Medication management and stabilization
      • Addiction-focused interventions
      • Structured group programming and psychoeducation
      • Behavioural and functional stabilization
      • Discharge planning and transition to community supports

      This service is intended for individuals whose needs exceed community-based or outpatient care and require coordinated inpatient treatment for both mental health and substance use.

      Call (AHP) Program Page

      Access note:
      Access to this program is referral-based and typically arranged through Alberta Health Services (AHS) clinicians (e.g., physicians, psychiatrists, or Addiction & Mental Health teams). There is no public self-referral or online application process.

      Information note:
      This entry is short because AHS publishes very little about it. Lengths of stay, admission criteria, and direct program numbers are inconsistent across their listings and sometimes absent entirely. The gaps are theirs. Expect to phone and ask.

    • // Grace House Drumheller


      Central Zone

      Description:
      Grace House is a residential recovery program for men offering a structured, abstinence-based environment focused on stabilization and long-term recovery. The program operates in a communal living setting in Drumheller, Alberta.

      Demographic:
      Men (25+)

      Length of Stay:
      90 days

      Modality:

      • 12-Step–based recovery model (Narcotics Anonymous framework)
      • Structured daily schedule with group and individual sessions
      • Mandatory participation in external recovery meetings (AA/CA/NA)
      • Life-skills development and relapse-prevention programming
      • Work-based recovery component through the “Odd Job Squad”
      • Aftercare planning and alumni support

      The program emphasizes routine, accountability, and community integration as part of early recovery.

      Call Website

      Application note:
      Applications are initiated through a downloadable PDF form available on the program’s website. The form is accessed via an on-page download button rather than a standard application page. Applicants may need to contact the program directly for submission instructions and intake coordination.

      Important access note:
      Programming is strongly structured around the 12-Step model, including completion of the steps during the program and regular attendance at recovery meetings. The program operates as a 12-bed communal residence, with shared living and a highly structured daily routine. Individuals may wish to confirm expectations, fit, and availability in advance.

    • // Lakeview Recovery Community


      Gunn, Alberta (Edmonton area)

      Description:
      Lakeview Recovery Community is a residential addiction treatment program for men, operating within an evidence-based Therapeutic Community (TC) model. The program emphasizes long-term behavioural change through structured phases, peer accountability, and community living.

      Demographic:
      Adult men (18+)

      Length of Stay:
      3 to 6 months typically
      Longer stays where there is a clinical rationale

      Modality:

      • Therapeutic Community model (whole-person behavioural change)
      • Structured, phase-based residential program
      • Purposeful Pathways Program (work as therapy)
      • Individual and group support
      • Peer accountability and community-based living
      • Family involvement opportunities

      The program is designed as an immersive, long-term treatment environment rather than a short-term stabilization or sober living program.

      Call Website Programs

      Application note:
      Admission involves an assessment and screening process, typically initiated by contacting the program directly. A standard online application form is not clearly provided; prospective applicants may need to call or email to begin intake at info@lakeviewrc.ca.

      Important access note:
      Lakeview operates as a long-term Therapeutic Community, requiring sustained participation in a structured, peer-driven environment. This model may not align with individuals seeking short-term or less intensive treatment options.

    • // Red Deer Recovery Community (Last Door)


      Central Zone

      Description:
      A 75-bed, government-funded residential treatment program in Red Deer County, operated by Last Door Recovery Society. It runs the same recovery community model as Last Door's Calgary site: treatment is delivered through structured community living and peer connection rather than through scheduled clinical appointments alone. (This facility was previously operated by Edgewood Health Network. EHN's own page now states they no longer run it.)

      Demographic:
      Adults 18+
      (Co-ed)

      Length of Stay:
      Individualized, structured in four phases: orientation and stabilization, primary treatment, community living, then transition and continuing care
      Residents advance by readiness rather than on a fixed calendar

      Modality:

      • Recovery community model built on peer connection and lived experience
      • Individual and group counselling
      • Recovery education and life skills
      • Family support
      • Employment and education assistance
      • Transition planning and continuing care

      This is government-funded, bed-based treatment. It does not provide detox; withdrawal management is arranged separately.

      Call Red Deer Helpline (7am-7pm) Program Page

      Application note:
      Intake is by phone. Call the Red Deer line at 587-206-2456, or the Last Door helpline at 1-855-971-0486 (7:00 am to 7:00 pm). There is no online application form for this site.

      Important access note:
      Searching for this facility online still surfaces Edgewood Health Network pages and phone numbers, which no longer reach it. Use the Last Door contacts above. Address: 27227 Township Rd 391, Red Deer County.

    • // Shunda Creek Recovery Centre (Enviros)


      Central Zone

      Description:
      Operated by Enviros, Shunda Creek is a wilderness-based residential recovery program for young men, combining therapeutic support with outdoor experiential learning and land-based programming.

      Demographic:
      Young men (18–26)

      Length of Stay:
      12 weeks, preceded by a pre-treatment phase of online groups and individual therapy

      Modality:

      • Wilderness and land-based experiential programming
      • Individual and group counselling
      • Indigenous cultural teachings and practices
      • Life-skills development and personal responsibility
      • Structured routines and community living
      • Exposure to recovery supports (e.g., optional 12-step meetings)

      There is no fee for Alberta residents who meet program criteria. Applicants must be alcohol and drug free for at least 5 days before admission and physically able to take part in wilderness activity.

      Call Enviros Call Intake Website Apply

      Application note:
      Applications are completed on a downloadable PDF form linked from the intake page, and returned to the intake coordinator at shundaintakecoordinator@enviros.org or 403-512-1577. Enviros says applicants are contacted within 2 to 4 business days to book a first virtual appointment, and that pre-treatment requirements must be finished within 14 calendar days.

      Important access note:
      Shunda Creek does not operate as a 12-step–based program, though participants may have opportunities to attend local meetings. The program is highly experiential and wilderness-based, which may differ significantly from traditional clinical or facility-based treatment environments.

    • // Thorpe Recovery Centre


      Central Zone (near Lloydminster)

      Description:
      Thorpe Recovery Centre is a long-standing residential addiction treatment facility offering a full continuum of care, including detox, short-term stabilization, and long-term residential programming. The centre provides structured treatment alongside ongoing support for individuals and their families.

      Demographic:
      Adults (18+)
      (Co-ed)

      Length of Stay:
      Detox: approximately 7–10 days
      Short-term residential: ~28 days
      Long-term residential: 3–6+ months (program-dependent)

      Modality:

      • Medically supported detox and withdrawal management
      • Short-term stabilization and assessment
      • Long-term residential addiction treatment
      • Group and individual counselling
      • Trauma-informed and recovery-oriented programming
      • Family and loved ones support programming
      • Continuing care and aftercare planning

      The program emphasizes structured rehabilitation, long-term recovery planning, and involvement of support systems beyond the individual.

      Call Website Apply

      Application note:
      Intake is initiated through a fillable online application form. After submission, applicants are typically contacted by the admissions team to complete screening and coordinate entry into the appropriate program stream. For direct inquiries, contact admissions@thorperecoverycentre.org.

      Important access note:
      Thorpe offers a full continuum of care, allowing individuals to move from detox through short- and long-term residential treatment within the same organization. The program also includes dedicated support and educational programming for family and loved ones, which may be a significant factor for those seeking a more comprehensive, system-wide approach to recovery.

    Edmonton Zone
    Treatment Centres

    • // Adeara Recovery Centre


      Edmonton Zone

      Description:
      Adeara Recovery Centre is a Christian-based, long-term residential recovery program for women, offering structured support that integrates spiritual, emotional, and practical aspects of recovery. The program includes dedicated supports for women with children, allowing families to remain together during treatment.

      Demographic:
      Women (18+), including mothers with children

      Length of Stay:
      Core residential program followed by a 1-year recovery support program (long-term, staged approach)

      Modality:

      • Faith-based recovery programming (Christian framework)
      • Individual and group counselling
      • Parenting and family support
      • Life-skills development and recovery education
      • Trauma-informed supports
      • Long-term recovery support and transitional programming

      The program focuses on long-term stability for both individuals and families through a structured, supportive environment.

      Call Website Apply

      Application note:
      Applications can be submitted through an online form or via a downloadable PDF. For questions or intake coordination, contact admissions@adeara.ca.

      Important access note:
      Adeara operates within a Christian faith-based framework, and applicants are expected to be open to participation in spiritual components of the program. Additional eligibility requirements (e.g., abstinence at intake, physical capability, and program expectations) are outlined in the application materials.

    • // Edmonton Youth Recovery Program (EYR)


      Edmonton Zone

      Description:
      The Edmonton Youth Recovery Program (EYR) is a voluntary inpatient program run by Alberta Health Services on an 8-bed unit (8-2A) at Alberta Hospital Edmonton, for youth with harmful substance use. Treatment is group-based, with experiential learning, counselling, on-site schooling, and family engagement.

      Demographic:
      Youth 12 to 18
      (Co-ed, 8 beds)

      Length of Stay:
      12 weeks

      Modality:

      • Group-based inpatient treatment
      • Experiential learning
      • Individual counselling
      • On-site education so schooling continues during treatment
      • Family engagement

      Participation is voluntary. The youth has to want to be there.

      Call Website

      Application note:
      Access is typically through AHS referral pathways (e.g., healthcare providers, schools, or community services). Direct contact may be available for intake guidance.

      Important access note:
      This is an inpatient unit inside a psychiatric hospital, not a standalone youth centre, which is worth knowing before a first visit. It does not provide detox; withdrawal management is arranged separately. For intake or questions, contact YouthAddictionTreatmentCenter@albertahealthservices.ca or call 780-342-5779.

      Information note:
      This entry is short because AHS publishes very little about it. Lengths of stay, admission criteria, and direct program numbers are inconsistent across their listings and sometimes absent entirely. The gaps are theirs. Expect to phone and ask.

    • // Henwood Treatment Centre


      Edmonton Zone

      Currently closed.
      AHS states that Henwood was evacuated due to flooding on June 28, 2026 and remains closed. Its listing and phone numbers are still live, so the closure is not obvious from the outside. Do not plan on this bed. If you are looking for residential treatment in Edmonton right now, call the Addiction Helpline at 1-866-332-2322 and ask what is open, or work through the other Edmonton listings on this page.

      Description:
      Henwood Treatment Centre, operated by Alberta Health Services (AHS), provides residential addiction treatment for adults focused on structured recovery and skill development in an abstinence-based environment. The entry is kept here because the facility is expected to reopen and is still widely listed elsewhere.

      Demographic:
      Adults (18+)
      (Co-ed)

      Length of Stay:
      Short-term residential program (length may vary based on individual needs and program stream)

      Modality:

      • Structured residential treatment programming
      • Individual and group counselling
      • Addiction education and relapse prevention
      • Life-skills development
      • SMART Recovery–based components
      • Discharge planning and continuing care coordination

      The program focuses on stabilization and early recovery within a structured residential setting.

      Call Website Intake

      Application note:
      Access is typically through AHS Addiction & Mental Health intake (centralized referral system). Direct contact with the facility may provide general information but does not replace intake screening.

      Important access note:
      This is a residential treatment program (not detox). Individuals may be required to complete withdrawal management prior to admission. Wait times and eligibility are determined through AHS intake processes.

      Information note:
      This entry is short because AHS publishes very little about it. Lengths of stay, admission criteria, and direct program numbers are inconsistent across their listings and sometimes absent entirely. The gaps are theirs. Expect to phone and ask.

    • // Hope Mission – Breakout & Wellspring Programs


      Edmonton Zone

      Description:
      Hope Mission operates long-term, faith-based residential recovery programs for men (Breakout) and women (Wellspring). Programs are structured around abstinence, spiritual development, and daily routine, with a focus on stability, responsibility, and reintegration.

      Demographic:
      Breakout: Men (18+)
      Wellspring: Women (18+)

      Length of Stay:
      One year
      Hope Mission describes both Breakout and Wellspring as year-long programs

      Modality:

      • Faith-based recovery programming (Christian framework)
      • Structured residential living with daily routines
      • Group sessions and peer support
      • Life-skills development and employment readiness
      • Case management and goal planning
      • Work service / volunteer responsibilities
      • Relapse prevention and recovery education

      Programs involve a high level of structure and personal responsibility, including adherence to program rules, scheduled activities, and participation in faith-based components.

      Wellspring Breakout Wellspring (women) Breakout (men)

      Application note:
      Applications are completed on a PDF application package, downloaded from the program page itself using the "Apply Now" link on the Wellspring or Breakout page above. Intake is coordinated through program-specific contacts:
      Wellspring (women): wellspringintake@hopemission.com | 780-453-3412 / 780-422-2018 ext. 252
      Breakout (men): breakoutintake@hopemission.com | 587-338-9671 / 780-422-2018 ext. 216
      Hope Mission main line: 780-422-2018

      Important access note:
      These programs operate within a Christian faith-based framework, and participation in spiritual components is expected. This is a long-term residential commitment with structured daily responsibilities, including program rules, work duties, and communal living expectations.

    • // Jellinek House (Recovery House)


      Edmonton Zone

      Description:
      Jellinek House provides a men’s residential recovery housing program focused on structured living, peer support, and continued recovery following prior treatment. The program emphasizes abstinence, accountability, and reintegration into the community.

      Demographic:
      Men (18+)

      Length of Stay:
      Long-term residential (typically 1–2 years, based on program recommendations and individual progress)

      Modality:

      • Structured recovery housing (non-medical)
      • On-site 12-step meetings and peer support
      • Individual counselling support
      • Complex trauma–informed group sessions (as described by provider)
      • Life-skills development and community reintegration
      • Recreation, wellness activities, and peer fellowship

      This is not a primary treatment or detox program. It is intended for individuals who have already completed treatment and are continuing recovery in a structured environment.

      Call Website Apply

      Application note:
      Applicants must be clean and sober for at least 30 days at the time of applying. Request the form by email, mail, or in person; professional referrals are preferred but self-referrals are accepted. Shortlisted applicants may be interviewed. Once on the wait list you must contact staff every Monday and Friday, by phone or in person, to hold your place. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Contact support@jellinek.ca.

      Important access note:
      Applicants must be abstinent for a minimum of 30 days at time of application and typically have completed a residential treatment program within the past 3 years. Placement is waitlist-based, and applicants may be required to maintain regular contact (e.g., scheduled call-ins) to remain on the list.

      Program expectations:
      The program is abstinence-based and 12-step–aligned, with encouragement to remain active in 12-step fellowship. Relapse or substance use may result in immediate discharge. There are no program fees.

      Important note:
      Recover-You does not verify or endorse Jellinek House as a trauma-specific treatment provider. References to “complex trauma–informed” programming reflect publicly available descriptions. Individuals seeking trauma-specific care are encouraged to ask detailed questions about staff training, therapeutic approaches, and how trauma is addressed within the program.

    • // McDougall House


      Edmonton Zone

      Description:
      McDougall House provides a long-term residential addiction treatment program for women, offering a structured environment focused on recovery, stability, and reintegration into the community.

      Demographic:
      Women (18+)

      Length of Stay:
      Typically 6–12 months (long-term residential program)

      Modality:

      • Structured residential treatment programming
      • Individual and group counselling
      • Addiction recovery education and relapse prevention
      • Life-skills development
      • Case management and goal planning
      • Community reintegration support

      The program is structured and phased, supporting individuals through early recovery into increasing independence over time.

      Call Website Apply

      Application note:
      Applications are completed via a pre-screen PDF form and submitted by email or fax. Contact intake@mcdougallhouse.com or fax to 780-429-3459. Applicants may follow up by phone at 780-426-1409 if needed.

      Important access note:
      This is a long-term residential treatment program (not detox). Treatment is free for Alberta residents with valid health coverage; McDougall House states it does not accept out-of-province clients. No one is admitted without completing the assessment stage.

    • // Our House Recovery Centre


      Edmonton Zone

      Description:
      Our House Recovery Centre provides a long-term residential addiction treatment program for men, combining structured living with recovery programming and gradual reintegration into the community.

      Demographic:
      Men (18+)

      Length of Stay:
      Typically 10–13 months (long-term residential program with transitional components)

      Modality:

      • 12-step–oriented recovery programming
      • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) components
      • Group-based programming and peer support
      • Life-skills development and relapse prevention
      • Case management and recovery planning
      • Transitional housing and reintegration support

      The program is highly structured and long-term, with a focus on sustained recovery and building independence over time.

      Call Website Apply

      Application note:
      Intake is initiated by email or phone. Contact intake@ourhouseedmonton.com or call 780-474-8945 to begin the application process. A formal online application form is not publicly available.

      Important access note:
      This is a long-term residential treatment program (not detox). Admission is based on screening and program fit, and participation requires commitment to a structured, abstinence-based environment.

    • // Poundmaker’s Lodge Treatment Centres


      Edmonton Zone

      Description:
      Poundmaker’s Lodge provides residential addiction treatment grounded in Indigenous cultural and spiritual practices, combined with 12-step, abstinence-based recovery. The program emphasizes holistic healing and addressing underlying contributors to substance use.

      Demographic:
      Adults (co-ed)
      Indigenous-focused, open to all

      Length of Stay:
      42-day adult program
      90-day program (ages 18–24)

      Modality:

      • Indigenous cultural teachings and ceremony
      • 12-step–based recovery programming
      • Group and individual support
      • Addiction education and relapse prevention
      • Holistic and spiritual healing approaches
      • Continuing care and recovery support planning

      The program integrates culture, spirituality, and structured recovery programming within a residential setting.

      Call Programs Apply

      Application note:
      Applications are completed on a PDF form and submitted by email to admissions@poundmaker.org. Two parts of the form need advance planning: a medical assessment that must be completed in full by a doctor, and a referral from a professional or agency such as AHS, the courts, or an EAP. Referrals from friends or family are not accepted. Intake is every Wednesday.

      Important access note:
      This is a residential treatment program (not detox), abstinence-based, combining Indigenous cultural practice with 12-step recovery. Applicants must be sober for 72 hours before admission, and Poundmaker's states that all legal matters must be dealt with prior to admission. Programs are open to all genders and to people with concurrent disorders or high-risk pregnancies.

    • // Recovery Acres Edmonton


      Edmonton Zone

      Description:
      Recovery Acres provides a long-term residential recovery program for men, offering structured living and recovery-focused programming to support stability and reintegration into the community.

      Demographic:
      Men (18+)

      Length of Stay:
      Long-term (typically 6–12+ months, with transitional housing options)

      Modality:

      • Structured residential recovery programming
      • 12-step–oriented peer support
      • Group programming and recovery education
      • Life-skills development and relapse prevention
      • Case management and goal planning
      • Transitional and long-term housing pathways

      The program emphasizes long-term recovery, accountability, and community reintegration within a structured residential setting.

      Call Website Apply

      Application note:
      Applications are completed on downloadable forms from the admissions page: one for residential treatment, a separate one for the Robson & Althea House supportive housing program. Submitting the form is not the last step. Recovery Acres asks you to call 780-471-2996 afterwards to set up your interview. Intake inquiries: office@recoveryacres.ca.

      Important access note:
      This is a long-term residential recovery program (not detox or short-term treatment). Admission is based on screening and program fit, and participation requires commitment to a structured, abstinence-based environment.

    North Zone
    Treatment Centres

    • // Bonnyville Indian–Métis Rehabilitation Centre


      North Zone

      Description:
      The Bonnyville Indian–Métis Rehabilitation Centre provides a 42-day residential addiction treatment program that integrates Indigenous cultural practices, structured programming, and abstinence-based recovery. The program combines cultural teachings, group-based recovery work, and daily structure within a residential setting.

      Demographic:
      Adults (co-ed)
      Indigenous-focused, open to all

      Length of Stay:
      42-day fixed residential program

      Modality:

      • Residential treatment (structured, non-medical)
      • Indigenous cultural teachings and ceremony
      • 12-step–influenced recovery model
      • Group counselling and psychoeducational programming
      • Relapse-prevention and life-skills development
      • Holistic wellness activities (as described by provider)

      This is a primary residential treatment program. It does not provide detox or withdrawal management; individuals may be required to complete detox prior to admission.

      Call Website

      Application note:
      Applications are not directly accessible to the public. A referral from an addictions counsellor is required to access the application system. Referring professionals must obtain a passcode from the centre to submit applications.

      Important access note:
      After applying, individuals are required to call weekly to maintain their position on the waitlist. If no contact is made for 3 weeks, the application is removed. Intake occurs on scheduled days (Thursdays), and admission includes on-site screening (e.g., urine testing).

      Program expectations:
      The program is abstinence-based and incorporates 12-step principles alongside cultural programming. Participation in structured daily programming is required.

    • // Fort McMurray Recovery Centre


      North Zone

      Description:
      Operated by Alberta Health Services (AHS), the Fort McMurray Recovery Centre provides short-term residential addiction treatment within a structured, abstinence-based environment. Programming is delivered in a residential setting with a focus on stabilization and early recovery.

      Demographic:
      Adults (18+)
      (Co-ed)

      Length of Stay:
      Short-term residential (duration not clearly specified by AHS)

      Modality:

      • Residential treatment (non-medical)
      • Group-based programming
      • Psychoeducational sessions (as described by AHS)
      • Relapse-prevention planning
      • Discharge planning and continuing care coordination

      This is a primary residential treatment program. It does not provide detox or withdrawal management; individuals may be required to complete detox prior to admission through AHS services.

      Call Website Apply

      Application note:
      Access is typically coordinated through AHS Addiction & Mental Health services. Referrals may be initiated through centralized intake (1-866-332-2322) or a healthcare provider. An AHS application form (PDF) is also used as part of the intake process.

      Important access note:
      Admission is dependent on AHS assessment, availability, and waitlist status. Individuals may be required to complete detox or withdrawal management prior to admission. Specific program expectations and admission timelines should be confirmed directly through AHS.

      Information note:
      This entry is short because AHS publishes very little about it. Lengths of stay, admission criteria, and direct program numbers are inconsistent across their listings and sometimes absent entirely. The gaps are theirs. Expect to phone and ask.

    • // Northern Addictions Centre (Grande Prairie)


      North Zone

      Description:
      Operated by Alberta Health Services (AHS), the Northern Addictions Centre provides short-term residential addiction treatment for adults in a structured, abstinence-based setting. Public AHS information for this site is limited, but available program materials describe a residential program focused on daily recovery programming, group counselling, and preparation for substance-free living.

      Demographic:
      Adults (18+)
      (Co-ed)

      Length of Stay:
      20 days
      This figure comes from an AHS program brochure last updated in 2016. The current AHS service listing does not publish a length and tells you to contact the program directly.

      Modality:

      • Residential treatment (structured, non-medical)
      • Daily interactive workshops and lectures
      • Therapeutic group counselling
      • Participation in community-based 12-step groups
      • Leisure development activities
      • Family component offered every second week

      This is a primary residential treatment program. AHS materials also indicate that detox access is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and detoxification or early admission may be arranged if required.

      Call Treatment Reception AHS Listing Program Info (2016) Application Form (PDF)

      Application note:
      Call the residential treatment line at 780-538-6350, or the nearest AHS Addiction & Mental Health office. Admission requires the AHS addiction treatment application, a medical completed by the admission nurse, and an assessment by an addictions counsellor. AHS says a wait-time estimate is given when you book the appointment.

      Important access note:
      AHS materials state that applicants must be a minimum of five days alcohol-, drug-, and gambling-free prior to admission. Applications are reviewed by admission staff before acceptance into the program.

      Information note:
      This entry is short because AHS publishes very little about it. Lengths of stay, admission criteria, and direct program numbers are inconsistent across their listings and sometimes absent entirely. The gaps are theirs. Expect to phone and ask.

    South Zone
    Treatment Centres

    • // Lander Treatment Centre


      South Zone

      Description:
      Operated by Alberta Health Services (AHS), Lander Treatment Centre provides a short-term residential addiction treatment program (~4 weeks) for adults in a structured, abstinence-based setting. The program focuses on building coping skills, increasing self-awareness, and supporting early recovery through structured daily programming.

      Demographic:
      Adults (18+)
      (Co-ed)

      Length of Stay:
      Approximately 4 weeks (~28 days)

      Modality:

      • Residential treatment (structured, non-medical)
      • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • Motivational Interviewing (MI)
      • Group counselling and skill development
      • Individual counselling
      • Exposure to self-help meetings
      • Experiential and recreation-based programming
      • Trauma-informed approaches (as described by AHS)

      This is a primary residential treatment program. It does not provide detox or withdrawal management; individuals must be abstinent prior to admission and may be referred to detox services if required.

      Call Admissions Switchboard Website Apply

      Application note:
      Access is coordinated through AHS Addiction & Mental Health services. Referrals may be initiated through centralized intake (1-866-332-2322) or a healthcare provider. An AHS application form (PDF) is used as part of the intake process.

      Important access note:
      Applicants must be abstinent from alcohol and drugs prior to admission. Detox requirements are determined during assessment, and individuals requiring withdrawal management will be referred to detox services. The program operates in a tobacco-free environment, and participants are expected to abstain from tobacco use during their stay.

      Information note:
      This entry is short because AHS publishes very little about it. Lengths of stay, admission criteria, and direct program numbers are inconsistent across their listings and sometimes absent entirely. The gaps are theirs. Expect to phone and ask.

    • // Fresh Start Recovery Community (Lethbridge)


      South Zone

      Description:
      The Lethbridge Recovery Community is a live-in recovery program operated by Fresh Start Recovery in partnership with the Government of Alberta. It uses a therapeutic community model focused on structured daily living, peer accountability, trauma-informed therapy, life-skills development, and transition planning for long-term recovery.

      Demographic:
      Adult Albertans
      (Publicly available information does not clearly limit this location to men only.)

      Length of Stay:
      16-week live-in program

      Modality:

      • Therapeutic community model
      • Structured live-in recovery programming
      • Trauma-informed therapies (as described by provider)
      • Peer mentorship and community accountability
      • Individualized treatment planning
      • Life-skills development and transition planning
      • Continuing care, alumni, and community support connections

      This is a live-in recovery program, not detox. Publicly available information indicates that participants must complete a 5-day detox prior to arrival.

      Call Website Apply

      Application note:
      Admissions begin through a phone intake process. Fresh Start states that intake assessments are completed over the phone, after which applicants may be given a bed date and time for admission.

      Important access note:
      Fresh Start Recovery requires daily phone check-ins to remain on the waitlist. Recover-You does not assess intent or motivation based on this requirement and recognizes that daily check-in policies can systematically disadvantage individuals with limited phone access, executive-function challenges, or unstable living circumstances — factors that are not indicators of readiness for treatment. Publicly available information also indicates that a 5-day detox is required prior to arrival.

    • // Lethbridge Youth Treatment Centre


      South Zone

      Description:
      Operated by Alberta Health Services (AHS), the Lethbridge Youth Treatment Centre provides residential addiction treatment for youth in a structured, supervised setting. Services are designed to support stabilization, recovery education, and ongoing care planning for adolescents experiencing substance use concerns.

      Demographic:
      Youth 12 to 19, from anywhere in Alberta
      (Co-ed)

      Length of Stay:
      10 to 14 weeks typically

      Modality:

      • Residential treatment (supervised youth setting)
      • Group-based programming
      • Psychoeducational and recovery-focused sessions (as described by AHS)
      • Family involvement and care planning
      • Educational support during treatment (schooling component may be included)

      This is a youth residential treatment program. It does not provide detox or withdrawal management; access to detox services may be coordinated separately through AHS where required.

      Call Website

      Application note:
      A referral from a qualified health professional is required. There is no self-referral route. Start with a doctor, school counsellor, or AHS clinician, or call the centre at 403-388-7600 to ask how to get a referral started.

      Important access note:
      Admission is dependent on assessment, consent requirements, and program availability. Youth programs may involve guardian/parental involvement as part of the intake and treatment process. Specific admission criteria and timelines should be confirmed directly through AHS.

      Information note:
      This entry is short because AHS publishes very little about it. Lengths of stay, admission criteria, and direct program numbers are inconsistent across their listings and sometimes absent entirely. The gaps are theirs. Expect to phone and ask.

    // Sources + Review Notes

    Each listing links to the official provider or AHS page used to review the program. Public descriptions vary in detail, and they do not always reflect day-to-day intake practices.

    • Reviewed: August 2026. Every link and phone number on this page was opened and checked against the centre's own site or its AHS listing during this pass.
    • Always confirm: program availability, funding, eligibility, wait time, medication policy, detox requirements, and what the centre means by trauma-informed care
    • Closed: Henwood Treatment Centre has been closed since flooding on June 28, 2026. AHS still lists it with live phone numbers.
    • Changed hands: Red Deer Recovery Community is now operated by Last Door, not Edgewood Health Network. Old EHN contacts no longer reach it.
    • Corrected this pass: five phone numbers that did not match any official source, one apply link pointing at a page that no longer exists, one AHS link pointing at the wrong service, and one application PDF that had been taken down.

    This directory is practical guidance, not an endorsement of a provider or a substitute for clinical assessment. Follow the centre's current instructions when they differ from this page.

    Where to Next?

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    Step back to the resource map and choose the need that is most urgent now.

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    Feeling overwhelmed by what you’ve read? Support is here • Call 988 anywhere in Canada, 24/7 Suicide Crisis Line • In Alberta call 211 for community & mental health referrals • Distress Line 780-482-HELP • 911 in emergencies •