We are committed to supporting you. In an effort to ensure that everyone is getting the help they need, we have moved to virtual online sessions for many of our programs. Take a look at the options below, and get in touch if something is of interest to you.
Community Counselling: 519-742-8327 x 216
Specialized Services for Pregnant or Parenting Individuals:
Day Treatment: 519-742-8327 x 276
Men’s Residential Treatment: 519-742-8327 x 234
Women’s Residential Treatment: 519-742-8327 x 235
Concurrent Supportive Housing: Call Here 24/7 at 1-844-437-3247
Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic: Call 519-957-5000
Community Withdrawal Support Service: Call 519-957-5000
Call HERE 24/7 at 1-844-437-3247 to get your application started.
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)
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 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 Monday 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
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.
Program Services
To apply:
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
Women’s Day Treatment Program (Fall/Winter 2024-2025)
Men’s Day Treatment Program (Fall/Winter 2024-2025)
Men’s Open Recovery In-Person Dinner (December 18, 2024 – Download Flyer)
Mixed Gender Day Treatment Program (Fall/Winter 2024-2025)
Virtual Women’s Open Recovery (Download Flyer)
Coffee Conversations in Recovery Workshops (Download Flyer)
Ongoing Mothers in Recovery (Download Flyer)
Virtual Alcohol & Drugs Awareness Seminar (Download Flyer)
Virtual Men’s Open Recovery (Download Flyer)
Women’s Open Recovery In-Person Dinner (December 19, 2024 – Download Flyer)
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.
Community Withdrawal Support Services
Community Withdrawal Support Services (CWSS) is a short-term service that offers an alternative to 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.
Funding for House of Friendship’s Addiction Treatment programs is generously provided by the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integrated Network (WWLHIN).
House of Friendship values the privacy of our participants. Please view our Privacy Notice relating to Addiction Services here:
Visit www.here247.ca or call 1 844 437 3247 (HERE247) any time to access Addiction, Mental Health and Crisis Services, Waterloo-Wellington- Dufferin. TTY: 1-877-688-5501