To recover a life, we must change a life. Without treatment, drug addiction and alcoholism is chronic and can often lead to homelessness unfortunately in some cases fatality.
At Fresh Start, new residents take part in an intensive recovery program that can last 8 to 16 weeks depending on the individuals needs. The program includes daily individual and group counseling, as well as recreational therapeutic activities in an atmosphere conducive to physical, emotional, mental and spiritual growth. It encourages people to respect themselves and others and grow in their relationships. Fresh Start also works with the families of our residents. All of our direct service staff are men and women who themselves have had experience with addictions and are all in active recovery. Fees are based on a sliding scale, so no one is refused due to lack of funds.
Those who successfully complete the intensive program graduate at a special ceremony. Graduates can stay in the house for up to 18 months as long as they are employed or enrolled in an education program and they continue to abstain. There are ten spaces available in stage two housing for men to stay even longer with Fresh Start and access further support as they continue on their journey. The men choose to leave when they have achieved their goals and they feel fully ready to re-integrate with their families and society.
We have adapted various models of Relapse Prevention Therapies to ensure that our program is designed to give the best opportunity for success. We employ an interdisciplinary approach to treating addictions with the core of our treatment program based on the 12 step approach. In all of our work, we remain constant to our core values of equality, empathy, trust, accountability, support, change, respect and individuality. Staying true to these values has enabled us to provide treatment and housing since 1992.
The Promises
If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be
amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new
freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish
to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and
we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone,
we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of
uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in
selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip
away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.
Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will
intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.
We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do
for ourselves.
Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled
among us — sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always
materialize if we work for them.”
Page 83-84 Alcoholics Anonymous~
Day Program
Our Process
Utilizing the twelve step model of recovery as the base of a comprehensive recovery program, our day program can provide a solid foundation of recovery for any man facing addiction issues and seeking recovery. Our day program is available to those seeking out patient treatment.
The Goals
Ø The recognition and acceptance of addiction and how it has affected their lives as well as the lives of others.
Ø The acknowledgment and acceptance of personal responsibility involving their addiction and the impact it created.
Ø An introduction to the twelve step model of recovery.
Ø The introduction and early development of coping mechanisms as well as recovery skills. (Relapse prevention)
Ø To create, obtain and maintain a healthy lifestyle free from alcohol and drugs.
The Duration
8 – 16 weeks (Monday to Friday 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM)
The Work
Ø One on One counselling
Ø Group counselling and discussion
Ø Reading assignments
Ø Written assignments
Ø Video and discussion
Ø Recreational & Therapeutic activities
Ø Introduction to Meditational practices
Ø Relationship development with sponsor
Ø Post self care planning
Ø Weekly in house Alumni meetings
Ø In house peer support ( The Foundation)
Ø Regular attendance of twelve step meetings (NA/AA)
Short - Term Residency
Our Process
Utilizing the twelve step model of recovery as the base of a comprehensive recovery program, our regular program can provide a solid foundation of recovery for any man facing addiction issues and seeking recovery.
Short term residency is for men in need of a temporary absence from stressful and high risk environments, allowing for total immersion into the recovery process, thus assisting them in replacing and repairing their damaged foundations.
Individuals participate in all house activities including daily house duties and fund-raising events while remaining enrolled in their regular group setting. They also have regular access to counselling staff and support workers 24 hours a day. We have found in this setting the individual stays intently focused on their recovery program.
The Goals
Ø The recognition and acceptance of addiction and how it has affected their lives as well as the lives of others.
Ø The acknowledgment and acceptance of personal responsibility involving their addiction and the impact it created.
Ø An introduction to the twelve step model of recovery.
Ø The introduction and early development of coping mechanisms as well as recovery skills. (Relapse prevention)
Ø To create, obtain and maintain a healthy lifestyle free from alcohol and drugs.
The Duration
The treatment program is approximately 8-16 weeks in length, and leaves the man with the ability to reside at the house for an additional period of 3 to 6 months. Some clients begin with short-term arrangements and later choose long-term residency as part of their recovery program. This flexibility is extended to all our men.
The Work
Ø One on One counselling
Ø Group counselling and discussion
Ø Reading assignments
Ø Written assignments
Ø Video and discussion
Ø Recreational & Therapeutic activities
Ø Introduction to Meditational practices
Ø Relationship development with sponsor
Ø Post self care management planning
Ø Weekly in house Alumni meetings
Ø In house peer support ( The Foundation)
Ø Regular attendance of twelve step meetings (NA/AA)
Long Term - Residency
Our Process
Utilizing the twelve step model of recovery as the base of a comprehensive recovery program, our program can provide a solid foundation of recovery for any man facing addiction issues and seeking recovery.
Our long term residency program is an additional plan of transition offered to our men upon completion of the regular program. Long term residency offers a man additional time for further growth and stability while remaining in a supportive environment thus allowing the man to develop, and re-establish himself gradually in his own community, therefore reducing the risk of relapse.
The Goals
Ø To provide a safe and supportive environment contributing to his personal recovery.
Ø To develop and engage in his outside support system and community.
Ø To develop problem-solving skills while fulfilling life’s responsibilities.
Ø To obtain and maintains appropriate and steady employment.
Ø To become and remain stable and self-supporting during the transition into his own community.
The Duration
Long Term residency is dependant on the individual’s personal needs and situation, his program as well as his progress is evaluated through regular reviews both through staff as well as self examination. The length of residency can be extended up to a period of 18 months.
The Work
Ø One on One counselling
Ø Reading assignments
Ø Written assignments
Ø Continued step work
Ø Sponsorship
Ø Recreational & Therapeutic activities
Ø Continued meditational practices
Ø Implementation of Post self care management planning.
Ø Weekly in house Alumni meetings
Ø In house peer support ( The Foundation)
Ø Regular attendance of twelve step meetings (NA/AA)
Stage 2 Homes
Our Process
A Comprehensive transitional plan offered to the men in our long-term residency. Stage 2 residency offers men a continuation of their program in a safe environment allowing for further growth and stability. While remaining in a supportive environment, the man then can continue to re-establish himself gradually in the community.
The Fresh Start Recovery Society owns two additional homes in close proximity to Fresh Start Recovery Centre; these homes provide an additional ten beds of supported housing.
Supported housing is for men who have completed long-term residency with Fresh Start and are seeking a continuation of their personal program of recovery, while still allowing for continuous structure as well as personal support without the institutional stigma that is sometimes associated with residency in a facility style environment.
By living in an environment reinforced with support from their fellow alumni as well as Fresh Start staff, and attending regular alumni meeting in unison with regular attendance of twelve step meetings, greatly assists in giving those men seeking additional time for further growth and stability an opportunity to do so in a home like setting, thus reducing risk of relapse, as well as a creating a seamless transition back into the community.
The Goals
Ø The continued recognition and acceptance of addiction and how it has affected their own lives as well as the lives of others.
Ø The reinforcement of coping mechanisms as well as recovery skills. (Relapse prevention)
Ø The acknowledgment and acceptance of personal responsibility involving our addiction and the impact it created.
Ø Implementation of Post self care management planning.
Ø The continuation of the twelve step model of recovery.
Ø The maintenance of a healthy lifestyle free from alcohol and drugs.
The Duration
Stage 2 residency is dependant on the individual’s personal needs and their situation, their program as well as their progress is evaluated through regular reviews both through staff as well as self examination. There are no time parameters as this is considered a permanent housing solution.
The Work
Ø One on One counselling
Ø Reading assignments
Ø Written assignments
Ø Recreational & Therapeutic activities
Ø Continued Meditational practices
Ø After Treatment planning
Ø Weekly in house Alumni meetings
Ø In house peer support ( The Foundation)
Ø Regular attendance of twelve step meetings (NA/AA)