Addiction Treatment

Are you concerned about your substance use, or is someone else? Are you worried about someone important in your life who uses substances, gambles or overuses technology? Help is available, with a variety of counselling options to meet your needs. Services are offered in Kitchener and Cambridge. Call 1-844-437-3247 (HERE247) to access these services – registration and assessment is required. For more information about services provided, call 519-742-8327 ext. 216.

NOTE: If you are pregnant and/or a woman parenting a child 6 and under and are in need of counselling – please call 519-742-8327 ext. 206 (Kitchener and Cambridge), and someone will call you back within 48 hours. You do not need to call HERE247 to access these services.

Virtual Support Group options

Please note all of our support groups are currently being offered virtually via ZOOM. Assistance with getting set up via ZOOM can be provided.

Gambling Support Group

This is a 6-week support group for individuals struggling with problematic gambling behaviour. This group provides a supportive and therapeutic environment to promote behavioural change and develop coping strategies to manage gambling urges and relapse. Contact us directly to register, 519-742-8327 ex. 216 or counselling@houseoffriendship.org. (Download Flyer)

Tuesdays from 5:30-7:00pm (virtual)

Problem Gambling Group Flyer

Alcohol and Drug Awareness Seminar (ADAS)

ADAS is a two-hour group education session that gives participants an opportunity to complete a series of self-report questionnaires regarding their use of alcohol and/or drugs.

The session run virtually over ZOOM and involve:
•    Information on various substances and their effects on the brain & body
•    How addiction occurs
•    Safer substance use practices
•    How to recognize when substance use is a problem
•    Overview of House of Friendship’s Addiction Services

Call Here 24/7 to register 1-844-437-3247. (Download Flyer)

Maintaining Change

Maintaining Change is a nine-session group for those who are concerned with their substance use and are committed to maintaining changes they have made to their use. Participants have the opportunity to increase awareness of their substance use triggers and cravings and learn to improve their ability to cope. The sessions will help participants to identify high-risk situations and implement strategies to help manage the risk of relapse. Thursdays: 6:00-7:30pm

Aftercare 

Aftercare is a 16-session group for those who have completed the Maintaining Change group or another treatment program (day treatment or live in (Residential) treatment) and have a continued goal of abstinence. Participants discuss topics related to their recovery including successes and challenges, and benefit from the opportunity to learn from others experiences, as well as enhance their relapse prevention skills.

Men’s Group: Call 519-742-8327 Ext. 234. Tuesdays: 6:00-8:00pm

Women’s Group: Call 519-742-8327 Ext. 235. Wednesdays: 6:00-7:30pm

Concerned Family and Significant Others (CFSO)

CFSO is an ongoing group designed for family members, friends and significant others who are concerned about their loved ones’ substance use. Participants are provided with the opportunity to learn strategies to enhance their well-being, to improve their relationship with their loved one and to help engage their loved one in treatment and/or support. 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month: 6:00-8:00pm (Download Flyer)

Older Adult Recovery Group 

The virtual Older Adult Recovery group is an ongoing group geared for anyone 55+ who has substance use concerns.  Topics include exploring substance use and mental health, relapse prevention and harm reduction, healthy emotions, coping with loss and building connection.  Opportunity to join via phone can be explored if access to zoom is unavailable. Biweekly on Mondays: 1:00-3:00pm

Download Flyer

Mothers in Recovery

A virtual, low barrier, drop in style group for female-identifying parents of any age. The group meets weekly for 1.5 hours and offers facilitated open discussion and content delivery in an accepting, non-judgemental environment. Content and discussion focuses on relapse prevention skill building, parenting tools and strategies, emotion regulation and community building. Thursdays: 1:00-2:30pm (Download Flyer)

Call 1-844-437-3247 (HERE247) to access any of these services.

Counselling Services Brochure

Program Services

• Individual meetings with a counsellor
• Information about community resources
• Supportive counselling group with mothers who are concerned about their substance use.
• Individuals identifying as female who are pregnant can access Live In (Residential) treatment at the Women’s Live In (Residential) Program, a 10-bed abstinence-based addiction treatment program for adult women.

To apply:

• Individual and group counselling services in Kitchener & Cambridge: 519-742-8327 x 210
• Women’s Live in (Residential) for individuals who are pregnant: 519-742-8327 x 207

MOTHERS IN RECOVERY FLYER

Day Treatment is offered in a staged approach – Introductory Treatment, involving a weekly support group, building skills to prepare for Stage 2 – Intensive Treatment, a two-week program designed to help participants reach their substance-use goals. Some workshops and sessions are offered separately for women and men, while others are for all genders. Gender is self-identified. All are welcome. For more information, call 519-742-8327 ext. 276.

Current Programs

Men’s Day Treatment Program (Summer) (Fall)

Mix Gender Day Treatment Program (Fall)

Ongoing Mothers in Recovery (Download Flyer)

Recovery Booster Program (Download Flyer)

Virtual Alcohol & Drugs Awareness Seminar (Download Flyer)

Virtual Men’s Open Recovery (Download Flyer)

Virtual Women’s Open Recovery (Download Flyer)

Women’s Day Treatment Program (Summer) (Fall)

Discover support and encouragement on your journey to recovery. Our community-based live-in treatment programs are designed for individuals 18 and older whose lives have been significantly impacted by substance use. In a safe environment, you’ll identify and address areas for personal growth while participating in a evidence-based group and individual therapy sessions. We are funded by Ontario Health and donations, there is no cost to participate.

• Admission Criteria
  • Ages 18 years and older
  • Substance use as primary concern
  • Action stage of change with the goal of abstinence
  • Significantly impacted by substance use and would benefit from a group-based program of the designated lengths below
  • Physical and mental health must be stable enough to participate fully in program as determined by medical and mental health providers in collaboration with our intake team
  • We do accept individuals on opioid replacement therapies including methadone or suboxone –access offsite daily
• Live-In (Residential) Treatment – Female-Identifying & Non-Binary
  • Located in Kitchener
  • Four-to-ten weeks
  • 10 participants
  • Priority admission provided for pregnant people
    • 519-742-8327 ext. 235 More information:
    • womensresidentialtreatment@houseoffriendship.org
  • Live-In (Residential) Treatment – Male-Identifying & Non-Binary
    • Located in Cambridge
    • Three-to-six months
    • 19 participants
    • More information:
      • 519-742-8327 ext. 234
      • mensresidentialtreatment@houseoffriendship.org
    • Application Process
      • We accept agency referrals – we do not accept self-referrals
      • For people living outside of Waterloo Region – please complete the referral form for the preferred program:
        • Referral Form – Live-In Treatment – Female-Identifying & Non-Binary
        • Referral Form – Live-In Treatment – Male-Identifying & Non-Binary 

      Men’s Program Brochure

      Women’s  Program Brochure

Concurrent Supportive Housing – Permanent Housing

Need support to manage your substance use and/or mental health, while living independently? Trained staff are available to provide support, counselling, and advocacy as you work towards your own wellness goals while living in an independent subsidized apartment unit. Call HERE 24/7 (1-844-437-3247) for application information.

Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinics

The Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic (RAAM) is a space where individuals of any age can access support for substance use disorders. RAAM is an easy access, walk-in clinic that individuals can access without an appointment or formal referral. RAAM services are covered by OHIP and are available to those who may need to obtain a health care. Services are time-limited, and individuals are transferred back to primary care upon completion of their participation.

Our multidisciplinary team consists of physicians and/or nurse practitioners, addiction counsellors and peer support workers who have lived experience, who are all available to support each person’s unique needs. RAAM provides holistic, trauma-informed, evidence-based treatment and interventions for both abstinence and harm reduction needs.

Services offered include: assessment of substance-use concerns; review of treatment options; education and medication support related to withdrawal and cravings; brief individual counselling and peer support; education on overdose prevention and the use of naloxone; referrals to longer-term supports for ongoing care.

LEARN MORE

Community Withdrawal Support Services

Community Withdrawal Support Services (CWSS) is a short-term service that offers an alternative to Live In (residential) withdrawal management for individuals experiencing mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms. Participants will be assessed for safe withdrawal at home or in another space such as the home of a family member or friend. Team members work with participants to prepare, plan for and complete community-based withdrawal, support post-acute withdrawal, and refer to other programs for long-term support. The program supports goals ranging from abstinence to substance use reduction. All services are free and confidential. Call 519-957-5000 for more information.