Our Frequently Asked Questions
The treatment program is 90 days.
Yes, the treatment program progresses for the full 90 days, and those seeking to complete treatment are expected to stay for the full duration of the program.
Frequently missed check-ins and not checking in for extended periods of time will result in removal from the waitlist.
During the 90-day treatment program, you will be unable to work. This allows you to focus completely on what is going on in the group and provides time and space for continuous reflection about the material covered and how to implement these new thoughts, patterns, and behaviours into everyday life.
For those with a safe and supportive home environment who cannot be away, we offer an at-cost Day Program. This program offers the same comprehensive treatment content as our live-in treatment, with the flexibility to return home after dinner each evening.
Withdrawal can have life-threatening effects. It is recommended that participants attend detox before coming to treatment to ensure that any complications that arise while detoxing can be addressed by knowledgeable staff who are capable of assisting, whether medically or otherwise. We do not offer detox services on-site, so a minimum of 5 days of sobriety prior to coming into treatment is required.
While with Fresh Start Recovery, participants will set goals in 12 major life areas, including employment and housing. Your counsellor will assist you in goal setting and goal completion. Toward the end of the group, the focus is put on gaining employment, education, and housing. Some participants may continue to stay with us after completing treatment, where they will be able to obtain employment, education and look for housing while still surrounded by the structure and support that our facility provides.
During the 90-day treatment program, you will be unable to go to school. This allows you to focus completely on what is going on in the group and provides time and space for continuous reflection about the material covered and how to implement these new thoughts, patterns, and behaviours into everyday life.
Upon arrival at Fresh Start Recovery, we will help you determine your income support options and apply for any income assistance that will provide funding during your treatment program.
- Admitting powerlessness over addiction and unmanageable lives.
- Believing in a higher power for guidance and support.
- Surrendering to that higher power.
- Conducting a moral inventory of oneself.
- Confessing wrongs.
- Accepting character defects.
- Practicing humility.
- Making amends.
- Continuing self-reflection.
- Taking personal inventory.
- Seeking spiritual awakening.
- Carrying the message to others
(Alcoholics Anonymous, 1939)
Fresh Start Recovery is a leader in Addiction Treatment through the ongoing evolution of our treatment program, which emphasizes our understanding of the importance of developing best practices and measuring treatment outcomes. Our program review indicates an 80% group completion rate and a 53% success rate of continuous abstinence recovery after one year of completing treatment.
The cost of our treatment program is currently covered for Albertans with valid Alberta Health Care. Treatment would be at a cost for those who do not have Alberta Health Care or who are from out of province. Please connect with our Director of Finance to discuss cost and funding options.
Please connect with our Director of Finance to discuss cost and funding options.
Treatment would be at a cost for those who do not have Alberta Health Care or who are from out of province. Please connect with our Director of Finance to discuss cost and funding options.
Participants are strongly encouraged to start their recovery journey before coming in for treatment, especially if there is a waitlist. It is recommended to start attending 12-step meetings and gain a connection with like-minded individuals. It is also strongly recommended to attend detox before arriving for treatment.
Fresh Start Recovery is 12-step based and it is strongly recommended to start attending 12-step meetings while waiting to arrive for treatment.
Treatment would be at a cost for those who do not have Alberta Health Care or who are from out of province. Please connect with our Director of Finance to discuss cost and funding options.
Participants will be with us for at least 14-16 weeks and should bring any items that they will need during this time. There is laundry on-site to launder clothing, and we offer meals and snacks throughout the day. Any toiletries should be brought, and any clothing, including season-specific and fitness-specific clothing, should be brought. We will also periodically make basic needs trips to local charity organizations and stores to obtain clothing and basic needs items during a participant's stay.
Family and friends are able to visit Monday - Sunday between 10:00 am and 10:00pm, outside of your program hours.
To ensure participants are able to engage fully in the program with less hesitation and distraction, family members and partners will not be able to attend treatment at the same facility. We may accept family members and partners as the same time, but at different facilities.
Tobacco and nicotine products are allowed at Fresh Start Recovery in designated areas. For those looking to stop smoking, we also offer nicotine cessation information through our partnered pharmacist and can help you obtain nicotine cessation products.
At Fresh Start Recovery, our mission is to house, treat, and support individuals affected by addiction. Our strategic plan focuses on three key pillars to achieve this:
Organizational and Operational Development: Ensuring scalability, effective staffing, and operational continuity.
Program Quality and Stakeholder Engagement: Emphasizing community engagement, advocacy, and program quality improvement.
IT Infrastructure and Compliance: Strengthening data management, compliance, and accountability to maintain high standards in our operations.
Fresh Start Recovery offers a range of programs to support individuals on their recovery journey, including:
Treatment Programs: A structured 90-day recovery program to support individuals from initial treatment to reintegration.
Coming Together Program: A family support program focusing on education, empowerment, and ongoing support.
Post-Treatment Housing: Safe and supportive housing for alumni to continue their recovery journey.
Our financial transparency is a priority. Here’s a breakdown of our program spending:
Program Costs: $6,066,000 (2023), $4,867,000 (2022), $4,972,000 (2021)
Administration Costs: 14.3% of total spending
Fundraising Costs: 3.5% of total spending
We measure our success through various outputs and outcomes, including:
Clients Served: 2,822 clients have completed our program since 1993.
Alumni Engagement: In 2023, 189 clients became alumni.
Volunteer Hours: In 2023, clients contributed over 1,200 volunteer hours to the community.
We keep detailed records of our clients’ demographics to ensure our programs are inclusive and effective:
Gender: 85% male, 15% female (2023)
Ethnicity: 59% Caucasian, 19% First Nations, 9% Metis, 4% African, 1% Latin American, 3% Asian, 5% Other (2023)
We set clear, quantified goals for our programs:
Program Completion Rate: Our goal is to increase completion rates by 5% in 2024.
Coming Together Series Participation: We aim to increase participation by 10% in 2024.
We are committed to precise data reporting. Our outcomes management system collects and analyzes data at multiple intervals to ensure accuracy and continuous improvement.
While our reports are reviewed by Alberta Health Services (AHS), we are exploring opportunities for more formal third-party reviews of our programs.
Fresh Start Recovery is regularly reviewed by MHSPA and Accreditation Canada on an ongoing basis.
Fresh Start Recovery’s financials are audited by an outside body annually.
We regularly review program effectiveness and client satisfaction, using data to guide continuous improvement.
Fresh Start Recovery performs an annual program performance review through our Performance Improvement Plan Policy.
We track the long-term success of our clients, focusing on:
Post-Treatment Housing Stability: 95% of clients find stable housing post-treatment.
Goal Achievement: 90% of clients achieve their goals one year post-treatment.
We believe in transparency and regularly update our community on both positive outcomes and the challenges we face, ensuring a balanced view of our impact.
