Local Help Resources
Resources Across British Columbia
| Resource | What It Offers/Who It Serves | Contact Details |
|---|---|---|
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Alcohol & Drug Information Referral Service (ADIRS) |
Free, confidential, 24-hr information & referral; helps people across BC with drug or alcohol issues; also for family/friends. (CCSA) |
Toll-free: 1-800-663-1441 |
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HealthLink BC (8-1-1) |
General health line: nurses & other professionals; helps find local mental health / substance use & addictions resources. (Government of Canada) |
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Opioid Treatment Access Line |
For people with opioid use disorder; same-day access to medication (opioid agonist therapy), assessment & connection to ongoing supports. (BC News) |
Toll-free: 1-833-804-8111 (available 9 am-4 pm, 7 days/week) (BC News) |
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“HelpStartsHere” (BC Ministry of Health portal) |
A centralized place to find recovery supports: treatment / detox / aftercare; “Road to Recovery” model for more seamless access. (HelpStartsHere) |
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Mental Health & Substance Use Support Lines (by Health Region) |
Region-by-region access to support & counselling. Useful when people want something local. (Government of British Columbia) |
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BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) |
Specialized treatment for people with more severe / complex substance use & mental health concerns. (HealthLink BC) |
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Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres (BC) |
Outpatient substance use services, including for opioid use disorder, in different towns in BC; some clinic-based treatment. (find.healthlinkbc.ca) |
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First Nations Wellness / Treatment Centres |
Centers oriented toward Indigenous communities, including healing-centres and culturally grounded treatment options. (fnha.ca) |
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Overdose Prevention & Harm Reduction Resources |
For people using substances: naloxone kits, overdose prevention / safe use, drug checking, etc. (dmz1.helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca) |
Resources Across Canada
| Resource | What It Offers/Who It Serves | Contact Details |
|---|---|---|
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Canada.ca – Get Help with Substance Use |
Free, confidential professional help & referrals for drug & alcohol addiction across Canada. (Government of Canada) |
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Drug Rehab Services (Canada) |
Part of the above: connects people with treatment services. (Government of Canada) |
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Kids Help Phone |
Support, counselling, information & referrals; works 24/7; virtual and by phone/text. (Government of Canada) |
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9-8-8: Suicide & Crisis Helpline |
For anyone in crisis (not just addiction). If suicidal or in crisis, available 24/7 by phone/text across Canada. (Government of Canada) |
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Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) |
National hub: policy, research, resources, and they also have a “treatment helplines” directory. (CCSA) |
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CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Ontario) |
Major resource in Ontario for research, treatment programs, and info on addiction & mental health. (CAMH) |
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Here 24/7 (Waterloo Wellington, Ontario) |
Local front-door for addictions, mental health & crisis services in that region; phone line + self-referral. (here247.ca) |
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Families for Addiction Recovery (FAR Canada) |
Support / education for families of people with addiction; parent-to-parent support, advocacy. (farcanada.org) |
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Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) |
Peer support meetings for people with alcohol dependence. Widely available across Canada. (Alcoholics Anonymous) |
Resources Across the U.S. & North America
| Resource | What It Offers/Who It Serves | Contact Details |
|---|---|---|
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SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) |
Lots of resources: treatment locators, hotline, guides, etc. (samhsa.gov) |
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FindTreatment.gov |
U.S. government site to locate substance use & mental health services / treatment. (FindTreatment.gov) |
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SMART Recovery |
Peer-based, science-informed support model; meetings (online & in-person), tools, workbooks. (smartrecovery.org) |
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Partnership to End Addiction (DrugFree.org) |
Resources for individuals, families; prevention, recovery, education. (Partnership to End Addiction) |
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LifeRing Secular Recovery |
Non-religious peer support meetings, online and offline, for sober support. (Wikipedia) |