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Help is available
24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call:
- 911 in an emergency
- 211 for crisis intervention and referrals to services in your community (24/7 support)
- Addiction Helpline at 1-866-332-2322 (24/7 support)
Overview
The Alberta Recovery Model – a comprehensive system of mental health and addiction care – is helping people get their lives back and is making the province a better place to call home. Everyone deserves an opportunity to pursue recovery. With the right care and support, recovery is possible.
Recovery is a life-long journey:
- The path you take in your pursuit of recovery depends on your individual needs.
- A range of addiction care services is available in Alberta.
- Choose the path that makes sense for you.
Albertans can access mental health and addiction services through Recovery Alberta – the provincial health agency dedicated to delivering these supports. To deliver services in shared spaces, Recovery Alberta works closely with other health agencies, including:
Care in the community
Treatment and support for substance use disorder is available to you while you continue to live in your community.
Other outpatient treatment
Options such as day programs, therapy and support groups may work for you:
Recovery Alberta
Recovery Alberta provides numerous outpatient services across the province.
Learn more about Recovery Alberta’s services.
Healthcare provider
Talk to your healthcare provider to find supports and services near you.
211 Alberta
Contact 211 Alberta to find supports and services near you:
- call 2-1-1
- text INFO to 211
- chat with 211
Bed-based addiction treatment
Alberta has a range of licensed bed-based addiction treatment service providers who provide effective bed-based treatment:
- Publicly funded treatment is free for all Albertans.
- Private treatment services are also available, though fees may apply.
All bed-based addiction treatment services in Alberta must be licensed under the Mental Health Services Protection Act
Find a licensed service provider.
Recovery communities
Recovery communities are a key component of the Alberta Recovery Model, offering holistic, long-term addiction treatment at no cost to Albertans. A total of 11 recovery communities are being established in Alberta, including 5 in partnership with Indigenous communities.
Recovery community programming focuses on whole-person recovery, supporting the physical, mental, emotional and social well-being of individuals. Programs offered emphasize lifestyle changes that promote lasting health and wellness.
Clients can stay in a recovery community for up to one year and take part in programming that supports both improved health and overall skills for reintegration into the community. Services include:
- access to opioid agonist treatment medications
- counselling
- employment and training opportunities
- financial and housing supports
Learn more about recovery communities.
Compassionate intervention
Once implemented, compassionate intervention will allow adult family members, guardians, healthcare professionals, police or peace officers to request a treatment order for those whose severe substance use or addiction is likely to cause substantial harm to themselves or others.
Eligible individuals will receive assessment, stabilization, treatment and aftercare support.
It is anticipated that some compassionate intervention beds will start operating in 2026.
Reducing harm
Harm reduction includes policies, programs and practices that aim to reduce the negative consequences of using illicit substances, while knowing individuals may not be ready or willing to stop using entirely.
If you are using opioids, do not use alone. You could save each other's life.
Canada's Good Samaritan law provides some legal protection for people who experience or witness an overdose and call 911 for help.