Our Program

At SAM’s we are dedicated to offering a long-term, abstinence-based program that goes beyond drug use to include the mental health of our clients.

Our goal through this is to provide clients with a therapeutic living environment that helps them develop the skills, confidence, and independence they need to move successfully through the recovery process.

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Our program gives our residents the time they need to repair damaged family relationships, build new circles of support, assess financial damages, assess psychological issues, improve coping skills, and break ingrained habits.

Our program is built on 5 pillars

Abstinence
Long-term help and recovery
Mental health
Transitional planning
Therapeutic living environment

  • Abstinence

    01/05

    We believe the best way to leave a past broken by addiction behind is complete abstinence. So, all residents of our main building and our duplex are required to abstain from all drugs and alcohol while in our program. And, we encourage them to remain drug-free throughout the rest of their lives.

    The only drugs allowed on-site are those prescribed by a doctor, mental health professional, dentist, or prescribing pharmacist. For those drugs, we recommend asking for them in blister packs.

    However, we don’t allow marijuana of any kind, whether it’s prescribed or not.

  • Long-term help and recovery

    02/05

    When you put a 21-day limit on recovery programs, you limit the recovery of residents.
    At SAM’s, our program lasts 3 months, with the possibility of extensions depending on our resident’s needs, not arbitrary guidelines.

    We also offer graduates of our program access to a bed in our eight-room ‘duplex’ for up to a year after.

    This extra time allows our residents to take the time they need to build the foundation for a better life.

  • Mental health

    03/05

    We believe the only way to ensure a robust recovery is to help residents work through underlying mental health issues.

    All residents at SAM’s have weekly, one-on-one meetings with our in-house psychologists. Through these meetings, we uncover mental health issues and work with them to find a better solution to these issues.

    Residents also participate in extensive group work exercises to integrate recovery into their lives

  • Transitional planning

    04/05

    We believe that having a firm life plan helps our residents transition from who they were to who they want to be.

    From the first week, our residents are preparing to take the next step towards a rich, fulfilled life through meetings with their transition counsellor and recovery coach.

    As residents move through the program, we help them find connection, balance their lifestyle and gain employment/education so they are prepared for a successful transition into their new daily life.

    Even after moving on from SAM’s, we love to hear from all our graduates. We make times to touch base and listen when any of our past residents return, and save space for them in our activities.

  • Therapeutic living environment

    05/05

    Recovery is more than just quitting. It’s choosing a new future to say yes to.

    To help our residents build that future, we provide a living environment where they can add skills and joy to their life. That includes events and outings, group sessions where clients can build relationships, assistance in finding education or employment and more.

    By offering our clients a safe, welcoming environment, we can help them build their next life better.

By the numbers

How it works

10
day detox before admission
24
hours in facility initially
1
month focus on areas that require healing by attending groups and meeting with a therapist to begin your stay at SAM
2-5
months living in the facility, continuing the healing process with groups and therapy and re-integrating with society, including schooling and work. Continue the transition process from your old lifestyle into a new one with support from peers, staff and community
Up to 1
year application can be made to stay at the duplex for further support
Please note that we use a client-centred care focus and will work with you to come up with a customized plan to fit your specific needs.

Admission Criteria

To be admitted, you must be:
  • sincere in your desire to establish a lifestyle without using alcohol or drugs
  • at least 18 years of age
  • alcohol and drug-free for at least ten(10) days prior to admission
  • willing to abide by established rules and requirements

What to Bring

For a better experience, you should bring:
  • comfortable shoes for recreation
  • outerwear appropriate to the season
  • up to 2 suitcases or large bags of clothing, including;
    • swimsuit
    • work out clothing and shoes
    • pajamas that adequately cover the body and a bathrobe
    • If you’re unsure how to pack for the weather, pack layering options, like T-shirts, sweaters, cardigans, and jackets. Please keep in mind that space in your room is limited, so try not to overpack.
  • shower shoes or flip-flops
  • hygiene products including:
    • shampoo
    • soap 
    • deodorant 
    • toothbrush 
    • toothpaste 
    • alcohol-free mouthwash 
    • shaving supplies
  • alarm clock or wake-up devices
  • towel
  • clean pillow
  • blanket
  • TV (optional) no bigger than 32”
  • prescription medication in blister packs
  • those with skin sensitivities should provide their own laundry detergent
  • please let us know about dietary needs prior to admission.
  • contact information for a pharmacy that would be able to refill an existing prescription, if possible

* Please let staff know if you’re unable to bring a towel, pillow, blanket, or hygiene products.

What NOT to Bring

To be admitted, you must not bring:
  • drugs or alcohol 
  • drug paraphernalia
  • clothing items or hats that depict alcohol or drugs (beer logos, pot leaf, ect.)
  • Large sums of money
  • pornography (movies, magazines, ect.)
  • weapons or anything that could be considered a weapon
  • candles, incense, air freshener, diffusers
  • unapproved or previously opened OTC medications, outdated prescription medication, workout supplements or protein powders

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Ready to discover what sober life can be?
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