Dealing with drug and alcohol addiction is a challenging journey. As someone who formerly worked as a volunteer in a rehab centre, I firmly believe that seeking professional help is essential.
Here, you’ll have the support of compassionate and honest people who won’t judge you for your current predicament. They’ll also ensure you have a strong community you can rely on to help you get back up and begin a new life.
If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol or drug abuse, get help from these reliable rehabilitation centres in Calgary.
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| How much does drug and alcohol rehab treatment cost? While addiction treatment is free at publicly funded addiction treatment facilities in Alberta, private rehab centres charge $1,100 per night on average. Keep in mind that this is an estimate, and actual pricing may vary based on the specific program and length of stay. |
1. Smart Clinic
Address: 1116 Centre St N
Phone number: +1 403-769-0111
Business hours:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (MON-FRI)
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (SAT)
Founded in May 2020, Smart Clinic is an alcohol and drug rehab centre that utilises a holistic approach to help its patients. They strike me as people I can trust, as they offer evidence-based addiction treatment and mental health care that can help former addicts recover and reintegrate into society.
In fact, their professionals are equipped to handle a wide range of addictive substances, including stimulants, opioids, and alcohol.
What’s also great is that they have a comprehensive Drug Overdose Prevention Program where patients can get easy access to drugs like Naloxone, a medication that rapidly reverses opioid overdoses.
Sadly, they primarily focus on outpatient care and can’t assist those who need 24/7 supervision and a controlled environment for their treatment.
Pros
- Holistic approach to managing addictions
- Specialises in treatments for stimulants, opioids, and alcoholic substances
- Provides anti-overdose drugs like Naloxone
- Allows walk-ins on off-peak hours
Cons
- Outpatient care only
- Sometimes cancels appointments at the last minute
The staff here truly care, and go out of their way to ensure the best care
“Been going here for over a year now. The staff here truly care, and go out of their way to ensure the best care. I never make appointments, always do a walk-in as I drive in from out of the city, and I’ve never been there for more than an hour. I just choose smart times to go so as to not wait hours on end like some other reviews?
Dr. Khosa saved my life when my father passed, he’s an extremely intelligent, empathetic and caring individual, who you can tell became a physician for all the right reasons.
They listen to what you have to say, provide honest feedback or advice, and at the end of the day they do what you ask of them (within reason). I’m so lucky to have found a Family Doctor within Calgary that is top notch, and respectful.
Thank you everyone at Smart Clinic, you’ve changed my life for the better while making me feel “normal””
-David Webb, Google Reviews
I’m a new patient there, and have been nothing but impressed so far
“Incredible clinic. I’m a new patient there, and have been nothing but impressed so far. Caring team, innovative approach, and truly expert.
In particular, if you are struggling with mental health issues, my experience there was unlike any other I have ever had with a family doctor. They KNOW mental health. and its complexity when it comes to adequate care.
Cannot recommend this place enough.”
-Anne Kokko, Google Reviews
2. EHN Sandstone Recovery Centre
Address: 802 7 Ave NE
Phone number: +1 866-650-6027
Business hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM (MON-SUN)
EHN Canada is one of the country’s biggest private rehab centres. Their Calgary branch, known as Sandstone Recovery Centre, is located in a building built in 1967 that was once home to the Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate convent.
Thanks to its former status as a convent, the Calgary branch is fully capable of providing inpatient treatment to individuals seeking addiction and mental health recovery.
Moreover, the services they offer are pretty extensive, and I’m happy to say they can provide evidence-based treatments, including detox, withdrawal management, 24/7 medical care, individual and group therapy, psychotherapy (such as CBT and DBT), and peer support groups.
It’s also amazing that they offer virtual intensive outpatient programs for drug and alcohol abuse to those who can’t visit them for inpatient treatment.
Sadly, their services may be pricey for most people.
Pros
- Provides 24/7 inpatient services
- Utilises evidence-based treatments
- Virtual intensive outpatient programs
Cons
- Expensive
- Some rude staff
I have nothing but wonderful things to say about the centre
“It has been over 3 months since I finished a 6 week inpatient program at Sandstone. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about the centre and staff. I detoxed there, which was an incredibly adverse experience of course, but the staff and program made it as comfortable as it can possibly be. The nurses are always available and there to attend to every health concern, the support staff meet your every need, the kitchen staff are amazing and it was the best I’ve ever been fed. Seriously, the entire experience was a gift and a blessing. Still today I am running strong and comfortable in my sobriety because of the tools I have picked up from the program at Sandstone. If you are scared or hesitant, do not worry. I arrived bawling my eyes out frightened of being away from my loved ones, pets, home, etc… but you become at home very quickly. Many of us even said it felt like we were at Summer Camp! We became a family. I am still friends with and see members of my cohort regularly. If you are offered this experience, do not turn it down.”
-Kyle London, Google Reviews
Sandstone changed my life!
“Sandstone changed my life!!! I was there for 49 days and those were the best days of my life. The food is the BEST every single meal. My councillor was the most knowledgeable honest helpful hardworking woman I have ever encountered. I don’t even have the words to describe how perfect Sandstone is. Every single person that works there cares so much for every single client. The medical staff are the most helpful, caring and understanding bunch of people that ever existed. I do not have one complaint about my entire time there. I recommend Sandstone from the bottom of my heart. It has changed me for the better and I am forever grateful to everyone there.”
-Amanda Jones, Google Reviews
3. Calgary Dream Centre
Address: 4510 Macleod Trail SW
Phone number: +1 403-243-5598
Business hours: Available 24/7
Calgary Dream Centre is a social services and rehab centre founded in 2004. It’s an organisation I highly respect because it actively helps more than 500 men and women every year.
For their addiction treatment programs, they focus on providing holistic care, which emphasises the use of group classes to provide a sense of community and comfort among patients.
A recovery-oriented case manager will be assigned to every patient to help them throughout their treatment process and assist them with getting their lives back on track by offering them vocational courses and post-recovery meetings.
Another thing I love about them is that they go a step further towards helping patients get a fresh start by offering them transitional and community housing.
However, it should be noted that, like most non-profit organisations, they too tend to get fully booked quickly.
Pros
- Free drug and alcohol addiction treatments
- Holistic approach to managing addictions
- Provides assistance post-recovery like vocational courses
- Housing support for recovering addicts and homeless people
Cons
- Tends to get fully booked quickly
I love everything that this place stands for
“I love everything that this place stands for. And I think what I like best is that they not only are trying to encourage men into a different lifestyle than addiction, they don’t give up on them. Some have stayed here several times before they’re ready for a change.”
-Chris Gabriel, Google Reviews
This place saves lives
“A place of support and recovery for men in need of a healthy routine and stability. This place saves lives and mends families’ distraught circumstances.”
-Justin Fitzgerald, Google Reviews
4. Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre
Address: 303 Forge Rd SE
Phone number: +1 403-253-5250
Business hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (MON-FRI)
Unfortunately, vices like drugs and alcohol spare no one and can ruin the lives of anyone, including teenagers and young adults. That’s why, in 1990, the Albertan government and the Rotary Club of Calgary pooled their resources together to form the non-profit organisation Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre.
A key reason why I believe they’re one of the best is due to their unique approach to resolving teenage addictions. They follow a 12-step model where licensed counsellors and the patient’s family work together to increase the treatment’s effectiveness.
It should also be noted that they offer post-treatment aftercare, like scheduled therapy sessions, to help the patient resolve the underlying cause of their addiction.
However, it’s worrying to hear that some staff were rude to former patients.
Pros
- 34 years of experience
- Specialises in teenage addictions
- Holistic approach to managing addictions
- Provides post-treatment aftercare like therapy sessions
Cons
- Some rude staff
- Sometimes forgets to respond to calls and emails
Not only has AARC helped my child but it has helped us as a family!
“I can’t thank Dr Vause and his team enough. Not only has AARC helped my child but it helps us as a family! The program is a lot of commitment, however all the hard work has made my family grow together. Prior to AARC, our family was shattered and it was chaos. I honestly thought my child was lost for good. We now share true laughter, we are honest to one another, and we share our feelings. Words cannot express my gratefulness to Dr Vause and the Team. Thank you for your continued dedication and devotion to save lives ❤️”
-H H, Google Reviews
AARC saved both my kids as well as myself
“AARC saved both my kids as well as myself. This family’s disease was more than I could manage. AARC worked with all of us to rebuild a very broken family. Today we all live in recovery and will be forever grateful to the entire team. Traci🙏🙏🙏🙏”
-Tracy Lidster, Google Reviews
5. Aventa Centre of Excellence for Women with Addictions
Address: 610 25 Ave SW
Phone number: +1 403-245-9050
Business hours: Available 24/7
Aventa Centre of Excellence for Women with Addiction, as its name implies, is an addiction rehab that specifically caters to women. Founded in 1970, they offer their services for free to Alberta residents with an Alberta Health Care card.
It’s quite interesting to me that they incorporate curriculum materials developed by Dr. Stephanie Covington into their treatments. Dr. Stephanie is an esteemed specialist in trauma and addictions whose work is recognised globally.
Speaking of treatments, it’s worth noting that they focus on providing long-term intensive programs for their patients. Divided into three unique phases, their treatments last for months and are designed to help women resolve the underlying causes of their addictions and gain useful skills they can use to begin a new life.
Unfortunately, with an abstinence-based program, Aventa focuses on complete sobriety, which can be too demanding and intimidating for some patients.
Pros
- 54 years of experience
- Specialises in women with addictions
- Incorporates curriculum materials developed by Dr. Stephanie Covington
- Provides post-treatment aftercare like financial literacy programs and support groups
Cons
- Doesn’t offer their services to men
- Complete abstinence-based program may not suit all patients
Aventa is an amazing organization with top notch staff and beautiful facilities
“Aventa is an amazing organization with top notch staff and beautiful facilities. The supportive community and outstanding programming leads to successful recovery outcomes for the women who grace their doors. Highly recommend Aventa, the leadership and staff team is exceptional, as are the groups, the meals and the overall environment.”
-M K, Google Reviews
It was hard for sure, but very rewarding at the same time
“I attended the Aventa Treatment Center in 2013, it was hard for sure, but very rewarding at the same time. I was fortunate to go to phase 3 house also. That was truly when all learning fell into place. I have all the love for the staff, cause I know who I was back then. I have to be honest, it hurts my heart to read some of the negative reviews. I feel that I can only speak as I and not you. Thank-you Aventa, for all you have done for me, I still have a great relationship with Miss Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn was the one who helped me to get in and now she has another position there, and she checks on me and I call her for advice. Once again, sending all kinds of love to all the staff at Aventa. Blessings
Alumni of the Aventa Treatment Center For Women”-Katherine Redsell, Google Reviews
