For 24/7 support, call the Addiction Helpline at 1-866-332-2322. Call 911 if you suspect an overdose.
Overview
Recovery from the disease of addiction is possible for everyone. The path to recovery is different for each person and depends their individual needs.
A range of addiction care services are available in Alberta. Albertans can choose the path that makes sense for them.
Treatment options
Treatment may include recovery housing (pre- and post-treatment), intensive residential treatment, opioid agonist therapy and support for families.
Addiction treatment services
Alberta has a range of licensed residential addiction treatment service providers across Alberta, who provide safe and effective treatment options for addiction.
Find a licensed residential addiction treatment service provider in your area.
Alberta Health Services offers safe, effective treatment options for opioid use and other addictions, including more than 900 treatment beds that specialize in detox, youth, short- and long-term residential treatment, and problem gambling.
- see the list of addiction and substance use programs and services or
- call the 24-hour Addiction Helpline at 1-866-332-2322
Opioid agonist therapy clinics
Opioid agonist therapy (OAT) medications, like methadone and suboxone, allow a person to function normally when they stop taking opioids, with no drowsiness or withdrawal symptoms.
When taken as prescribed, both medications are safe and can be taken long term.
The Opioid Agonist Therapy Gap Coverage Program provides immediate, no-cost coverage for certain OAT medications for 120 days, while you enrol in a supplementary health benefit plan.
- Learn about the Opioid Dependency Program
- Find an opioid agonist therapy clinic in Alberta
- Learn more about the Opioid Agonist Therapy Gap Coverage Program
Narcotic transition services
Narcotic transition services are available for people with severe opioid use disorder. High-potency opioids can help a person stabilize before transitioning to OAT medications. Witnessed dosing at an AHS clinic is required.
Learn about narcotic transition services.
Narcotic transition services are currently available at Opioid Dependency Program clinics in Edmonton and Calgary.
Overdose prevention
If you are using, do not use alone. During an overdose, you cannot save yourself but you can save someone else.
Follow these tips to protect yourself and others:
- reduce the risk of overdose
- how to spot an overdose
- follow the SAVE ME steps to respond to an overdose
- get a free Naloxone kit to help reverse an overdose
Canada's new Good Samaritan law provides some legal protection for people who experience or witness an overdose and call 911 for help.
Digital Overdose Response System (DORS)
The Digital Overdose Response System (DORS) is a free, discrete mobile app that can help prevent overdose deaths among people using opioids and other substances while alone. The DORS app can be downloaded from any smart phone’s app store, or through the links available on DORSApp.ca. The website also includes tutorials on how to use the app and links to resources to support you on your journey to recovery.
The app is available throughout Alberta.
Alberta’s government has started engaging with First Nations and Metis Settlements to assess interest in having the DORS app available in Indigenous communities. Interested First Nations and Metis Settlements can contact [email protected] for information.
Harm reduction
Harm reduction aims to decrease the adverse effects resulting from harmful behaviour by those who use substances. Examples include:
- peer and outreach supports
- needle distribution
- distribution of naloxone kits and other harm reduction supplies
- supervised consumption services
Supervised consumption services
Supervised consumption services provide a hygienic place for people to use pre-obtained drugs while monitored by trained staff. Facility staff:
- provide harm reduction supports such as sterile equipment and encourage safer drug use
- administer naloxone in the event of opioid overdose
- connect people to health and social services for treatment, housing supports, etc.