Skip to content

Notifications

Non-urgent government operations are closed December 24 to January 1, reopening January 2. See the list of services available during this time.

Notifications

Government mail service may be affected by the Canada Post labour disruption. See how to send and receive government mail during this time. 

AI search tool

Try our new Search AI tool as an alternative to the search below to improve your experience on Alberta.ca using artificial intelligence. See the AISearch fact sheet for more information.

Popular topics:

Part of Addiction and mental health

Recovery communities

Long-term, live-in addiction treatment facilities for Albertans.

Overview

Recovery communities are an important part of the Alberta Recovery Model, providing Albertans struggling with addiction access to holistic, long-term treatment free of charge.

Programming

Recovery community programming focuses on holistic addiction recovery, addressing the whole person and overall lifestyle changes needed to regain physical and mental health and wellness.

Clients can stay in a recovery community for up to one year and take part in programming that helps them improve their health and build skills to support their recovery. They can access a range of services, including opioid agonist treatment medications, counselling, employment, training, as well as financial and housing supports.

Each client receives an individualized care plan and is assigned a peer mentor, who is in the later stages of recovery. As people progress through the stages of addiction treatment and recovery, they assume greater personal and social responsibility within the recovery community.

Facilities

All recovery community operators are licensed as residential addiction treatment service providers under the Mental Health Services Protection Act (MHSPA).

A total of 11 recovery communities are being established in Alberta. Three recovery communities are open in Red Deer, Lethbridge and Gunn, and 8 more recovery communities are in development across the province.

Alberta’s government is working with Indigenous communities to build 5 recovery communities in direct partnership with Siksika Nation, Blood Tribe, Enoch Cree Nation, Tsuut’ina Nation, and Métis Nation within Alberta. This is part of ongoing efforts to remove barriers to land-based, culturally safe services for Indigenous peoples in Alberta.

Photo of the Red Deer Recovery Community single bedroom

Red Deer Recovery Community single bedroom

Photo of the Red Deer Recovery Community group meeting room

Red Deer Recovery Community group meeting room

Photo of Blood Tribe Recovery Community Entrance

Blood Tribe Recovery Community Entrance

Photo of Blood Tribe Recovery Community double bedroom

Blood Tribe Recovery Community double bedroom

Photo of the Blood Tribe Recovery dining room

Blood Tribe Recovery dining room

Photo of Siksika Recovery Community

Siksika Recovery Community rendering west perspective

Photo of Siksika Recovery Community

Siksika Recovery Community rendering northwest perspective

More photos

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements may be slightly different for each recovery community. Generally, to be eligible, individuals must meet the following criteria:

  • an Alberta resident
  • 18 years or older
  • experiencing severe substance use disorder that significantly undermines their education, employment and social integration
  • an individual must also have a history of unsuccessful substance use treatment or have been unable to meet their recovery needs through outpatient programs or short-term, live-in treatment facilities

Individuals who meet these criteria may apply for admission to recovery communities operating in Alberta.