Every Albertan, no matter their circumstance, deserves the opportunity to pursue recovery from addiction. As part of building a recovery-oriented system of care, Alberta’s government is providing $1.8 million over three years to Oxford House in support of their Calgary pre-treatment program.

This funding will create 240 additional recovery spaces annually, meaning that every year up to 240 Albertans can access these pre-treatment beds. Pre-treatment support is part of a comprehensive recovery-oriented system of care. These pre-treatment spaces are free for Albertans with no user fees, as is the case with all publicly funded detox, treatment and recovery spaces.

“The time between detox and treatment is one of the most vulnerable in someone’s recovery from addiction. With these new spaces, we can better support Albertans at a critical stage in their pursuit of recovery. This is another important step in building a comprehensive system of care that saves lives while supporting long-term recovery.”

Nicholas Milliken, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction

“Recovery is possible for every Albertan experiencing addiction. With this new funding, we’re helping more Calgarians get the help they need at a time when they need it most.”

Jeremy Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services, and MLA for Calgary-Klein
Supporting pre-treatment housing in Calgary

Ministers Milliken and Nixon at an Oxford House Foundation healing home in Calgary to announce new pre-treatment addiction spaces

Recovery is not one-size-fits-all and, for many people with addiction, there is currently a gap between detox and getting into treatment. The pre-treatment program at Oxford House gives clients a recovery-oriented space to be supported between detox and treatment in their pursuit of recovery. Staff also help clients understand their treatment and recovery options, empowering them to make decisions that best support their personal pursuit.

“Oxford House is a safe haven for people who are serious about recovery. By providing peer mentorship and access to vital recovery housing services in a supportive environment, we are helping more Albertans maintain their sobriety, continue their pursuit of recovery and take their lives back. Pre-treatment housing is filling a vital gap in the recovery continuum.”

Earl Thiessen, executive director, Oxford House

Alberta’s government is continuing to build a recovery-oriented system of care, where everyone struggling with addiction and mental health challenges is supported in their pursuit of recovery. This includes adding more than 8,000 new publicly funded treatment spaces, eliminating fees for residential addiction treatment, launching the Digital Overdose Response System (DORS) app and expanding opioid agonist treatment. Alberta’s government has also appointed the Edmonton and Calgary Public Safety and Community Response Task Forces to help address addiction, homelessness and other social issues affecting residents of Alberta’s largest cities. 

Quick facts

  • The funding is provided through the Medical Detoxification and Residential Addiction Treatment Expansion grant as part of the government’s $140-million investment over four years.

  • Alberta spends more than $1 billion annually on addiction and mental health care and supports, including prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery.

  • In 2019, the government committed to fund 4,000 new publicly funded addiction and mental health treatment spaces, including adding new spaces, funding existing private spaces, and upgrading existing detox spaces to medically supported detox. Since that time, Alberta’s government has funded more than 9,000 new publicly funded treatment spaces annually.

  • Any Albertan struggling with addiction can contact 211 Alberta to connect with local services and virtual supports. 211 is free, confidential and available 24-7.

  • The Virtual Opioid Dependency Program provides same-day access to addiction medicine physicians and life-saving medications to Albertans across the province. Albertans can call 1-844-383-7688 seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.