Addiction, also known as substance use disorder, is a common illness that afflicts many individuals throughout Canada, and Surrey, BC, is no exception.
The area has been adversely affected by drugs and alcohol for years, giving rise to many organizations that aim to provide effective treatment options through recovery houses.
Recovery houses in Surrey BC provide hope to individuals with substance use disorder and show them that recovery is possible through support, care, and proper treatment.
When you’re searching for a Surrey recovery home that works for you or your loved one, be sure to follow the tips and information in this article.
Introduction to Recovery Houses in Surrey BC
Recovery houses in Surrey BC are focused on providing a safe place for those with substance use disorder, such as drug or alcohol addiction, to begin the path of recovery.
These structured continuing care environments offer residents the support they need to establish a positive outlook in early recovery and aim to build a solid foundation to support a long-term addiction-free lifestyle.
How continuing care helps recovery from substance use disorder
Countless research studies have shown that continuing care is critical in the successful long-term recovery of substance use disorder.
Professional, recovery-focused staff help facilitate an environment where someone with substance use disorder can find support and care from not only the staff at the recovery house but also their peers that are in different stages of the recovery process.
Providing individuals with the tools they need to focus on self-introspection and healing helps them reinvolve themselves in family groups and communities, as well as build friendships and increase positive social interactions.
A brief history of drug addiction in Surrey, BC
Drug addiction in Surrey has been a growing problem for the area, as well as BC in general, in recent years.
The problem is multi-faceted and complex and stems partly from the criminalization of drugs in the area combined with a lack of timely access to addiction treatment facilities. Vancouver’s high population and an increase in mental health and drug-related issues with individuals due to COVID-19 also doesn’t help matters.
Other problems include the distribution of highly toxic drugs in the area, leading to a stark increase in the number of deaths related to a drug overdose.
Providing education and information on what resources are out there in terms of recovery houses in Surrey BC is just one way that we can make a positive impact on this situation.
5 Things to Look For When Selecting Recovery Houses in Surrey
Surrey, BC is a gorgeous ocean view city located near Vancouver and the US border. Lush greenery and mild weather, even in the winter, are standard for the area.
There are a variety of recovery houses located in the Surrey area. To help you find your ideal recovery house, we’ve compiled a list of five things you should look out for when selecting from a list of recovery houses in Surrey.
1. Living arrangements
Before you choose a recovery house in Surrey that works for you, it’s important to know what the living arrangement looks like.
Living arrangements can differ from private suites to semi-private, co-ed living spaces, or gender-specific living spaces. It’s important to double-check with the facility prior to admission if you have a preference for living arrangements.
As an example, Cedars at Cobble Hill offers gender-specific housing at their Residential Addiction Treatment Centre, while their continuing care Acorn Recovery homes are open to both males and females.
2. Recovery program information
Recovery houses in Surrey have a variety of different addictions recovery programs that are tailored to treat all types of addictions, not just drugs or alcohol.
Here are a few recovery homes that offer drug and alcohol recovery programs as well as recovery programs for other addictions:
- Cedars at Cobble Hill, for instance, offers treatment programs for process addiction (like gambling or sex), trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Operational Stress Injury (OSI).
- Sunshine Coast Health Centre, another recovery house that’s near Surrey BC, also offers treatment programs for PTSD and trauma alongside recovery programs for drug and alcohol addictions.
- Andy Bhatti Interventions & Addiction Services offers support for drug and alcohol addiction, eating disorders, sex addiction, gambling addiction, and more.
3. Admission requirements
Admission requirements for recovery houses in Surrey can differ depending on the depth of services they offer. Some treatment centres cater to men or women only, or youth.
The best way to see if you are eligible to enter a recovery house in Surrey is to check their admission requirements and contact the recovery house for more information if you have questions or concerns.
Here’s an example of different Surrey recovery homes and their admission requirements:
Healthcare card and any health insurance information
In order to be admitted to a recovery house in Surrey, BC, you’ll need to provide your healthcare card and health insurance information. This tells the recovery home that you have provincial health coverage, and also allows them to bill any health insurance that you may have accordingly.
Referral requirements
Before you can be admitted to some recovery houses in Surrey BC, you may need a referral. If a referral is required, it typically has to be from a medical professional or legal entity, such as a court.
Age requirements
Some recovery houses in Surrey have specific age requirements, ranging from only accepting youth under the age of 19 to only accepting adults over the age of 19. Any age requirements that a recovery house has should be made clear immediately when you contact them.
Gender requirements
It’s important to be aware that some Surrey recovery homes cater to specific genders only, while others accept those who identify as any gender. For example, Cedars at Cobble Hill offers separate recovery housing for both men and women, while other recovery homes like A Better Place Transition Housing offer facilities for men only.
Sobriety requirements
Sobriety requirements can also vary depending on the recovery home. Typically, a recovery home that is set up to provide assistance for those in the early stages of their journey away from dependency will have detox services. These detox services usually last a few days to a week and are meant to transition individuals into a sober living environment.
Other recovery homes require individuals to be completely sober for a certain length of time before entering. These homes are usually for people who are in the stage of their recovery where they are preparing to return to regular life.
4. Visitation and ability to leave the facility
Most recovery houses in Surrey BC allow patients phone access and visitation, but this is typically limited to certain scheduled times. Usually, there is also a waiting period at the beginning of treatment where no outside contact is permitted. This is meant to support the patient in their recovery by limiting outside influences.
Later in the recovery process, patients may be encouraged to leave the facility at times to participate in social activities and integrate themselves into the local community.
5. Support for education or employment
For many with substance use disorders, finding stable employment can be difficult. That’s why it’s important for recovery houses to offer educational or employment support for the patient. The program information for the recovery home should indicate whether support for education or employment is provided as part of the recovery process.
What to Expect at Recovery Homes
While every recovery house is going to have its own rules and regulations that the patients and staff have to follow, there are certain things that you can expect to happen, especially when you are entering the facility for the first time.
Knowing what to expect when you go into a recovery house can help ease anxiety and help you better prepare beforehand.
Detox and Withdrawal
Recovery houses that are meant to support a patient’s sobriety from drugs and/or alcohol at the start of their recovery will often have a detox or withdrawal period set up for when the patient first enters the home.
This detox period can seem difficult and scary for patients, but it’s necessary for the road to recovery. The recovery house provides a safe and supportive environment during this time, with staff available to intervene if necessary and provide care, so it’s really one of the safest places a patient can be during the detox period. The detox process can last anywhere from a few days to a week, depending on the treatment plan that is set out for the patient.
House rules and patient rights and responsibilities
In any shared living arrangement, individuals have responsibilities and rules that they have to follow to support the well-being of everyone in the space, including the individual themselves.
As a result, recovery houses in Surrey BC and beyond have house rules and patient responsibilities that are expected to be upheld during the entire stay at the recovery house.
Here are several examples of common house rules:
- Rooms and personal belongings must be kept neat and orderly for the duration of the stay
- Smoking or vaping is only permitted in designated areas
- Prescription medications are permitted with physician approval
- Patients must be present for all recovery program activities and meal times
In addition to house rules, patients have certain rights and responsibilities. These typically include:
- The right to respect and be provided safe and effective care
- Being provided with a safe, healthy, and comfortable accommodations experience
- Being considerate and respectful of other patients and staff at the recovery home
- The right to be fully informed of all rules and regulations at the recovery facility
- Being involved in treatment planning from the beginning and taking an active role in carrying out said treatment plans
- Being able to attend religious ceremonies and activities if needed
Items that you can and cannot bring
When you think about a drug addict and what that person may look like, it’s common to automatically fall back on
In order to maintain the safety and security of staff and other patients, recovery homes often place limits on personal items that can be brought into the facility.
Prohibited items could include:
- Technology, like cell phones, video game consoles, computers
- Weapons (pocket knives, etc.)
- Valuable items like jewelry or large amounts of cash
- Anything that could be used for gambling, like playing cards or dice
- Drug paraphernalia like pipes or rolling papers
Items that patients are encouraged to bring include:
- Toiletries
- Personal hygiene and beauty products
- Clothing
- Pajamas
- Prescription medications
- Bathrobe
- Slippers
Structured support environment
The main purpose of most recovery houses is to provide a structured, supportive environment for patients. This environment typically consists of daily therapy-related activities, like group sessions, individual counselling, doctor visits, and more.
In addition to therapy, recovery homes usually provide set times for things like meals, sleeping and waking up, recreational activities, and more. This structure gives the patient consistency and helps them become comfortable, as they know what to expect living in the facility day to day.
Recovery Homes vs. Transition Homes
In your search for a recovery home in Surrey, BC, you might have noticed that some facilities seem to cater to individuals in different stages of their recovery process.
This is because there are actually two different types of recovery facilities: recovery homes and transition homes.
Recovery homes are meant for individuals in the early stages of recovery. Usually, if you’re looking for a recovery home, you are not yet sober and need assistance starting your journey of recovery.
Transitional homes, on the other hand, are meant for those who are further along in their personal recovery journey and are almost ready to integrate back into regular life. These facilities also typically offer resources for those wishing to find employment or seek education.
It’s important to understand the differences between these two types of recovery facilities so you can choose a facility that works for you.
3 Tips for Choosing Recovery Houses in Surrey BC
Recovery doesn’t happen overnight. A person who is going through recovery needs support, care, and understanding throughout their entire recovery process.
The care facility someone with substance use disorder chooses can have a big impact on the success of their recovery. While it’s difficult to measure the exact success rates of each recovery home, people can and do recover from addiction with the proper support and care.
Here are some tips for choosing a recovery house in Surrey, BC that will work for you or your loved one:
Read reviews
Chances are that the recovery home you’re looking at has reviews online. Reading reviews from multiple sources like Google search and social media will help you get more information on people’s experiences with the facility.
Reach out to your network for recommendations
This tip is typically only applicable if you are willing to freely discuss your choice to seek recovery for yourself or a loved one. However, you can still take advantage of websites and social media platforms that allow you to ask questions while still remaining anonymous.
Determine the funding of the recovery house
Some recovery homes are privately funded, while others are publicly funded. Private facilities are often more expensive but offer more individualized care than public facilities.
Questions to ask before choosing a recovery house
Here are some questions you can ask before choosing a recovery home:
- What is considered a successful recovery?
- Are you publicly or privately funded? What is the total cost of a typical stay?
- What treatment options do you provide?
- Am I able to leave the facility for any reason, such as work or school?
- Can family or friends visit?
- What am I allowed and not allowed to bring into the facility?
Top 5 Surrey Recovery Homes
We’ve compiled a list of 5 excellent recovery houses in Surrey BC, that work for individuals in a variety of situations looking to start or continue their recovery journey.
Cedars at Cobble Hill
Cedars at Cobble Hill consists of a variety of facilities that offer treatment for individuals with substance use disorder. All facilities are inclusive and LGBTQ+ friendly. Cedars offers treatment for a variety of addictions, such as drugs, alcohol, process addiction (gambling, sex, pornography, etc.) and more.
Acorn Recovery Living (By Cedars)
Acorn Recovery Living is a transitional housing facility that supports individuals that are ready to start integrating back into regular life. Individuals that have gone through treatment at Cedars at Cobble Hill often come to this facility to continue their recovery.
A Better Place Transition Housing
A Better Place Transition Housing is a second-stage recovery facility that provides sober living support for men. This safe and secure facility focuses on teaching life skills and providing resources and information to help residents have the best chance of a successful recovery.
Atira Women’s Resource Society
Atira Women’s Resource Society is a women’s only non-profit organization that is committed to ending violence against women. They provide housing, daycare programs, and support to all women, including trans women, two-spirit individuals, and those who identify femme of centre non-binary gender.
Cwenengitel Aboriginal Society
The Cwenengitel Aboriginal Society provides First Nations culture-based treatments and traditional healing processes to residents. First Nations people in BC are three times more likely than the rest of the population to die of an overdose. The Cwenengitel Aboriginal Society’s goal is to change that number.
Conclusion
Recovery houses in Surrey BC offer a variety of services aimed at treating those with substance use disorder or an addiction that affects them in their daily lives.
While addiction itself is a complex disease that requires thorough and ongoing treatment, it’s more than possible for those affected to live fulfilling, successful lives.
The goal of most recovery houses is to provide individuals with the tools they need to counter their addictive behaviours. If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction, it’s important that treatment is sought out as soon as possible to give the best chance for a positive outcome.
Hello,
Very Informative Blog.
Thanks!!!
Looking for a recovery house to stop my alcohol addiction