Our Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the treatment program?
Our primary treatment program is 90 days. Admissions can confirm the duration and program options for each facility.
Do I have to stay the full 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.
What happens if I'm on the waitlist and I forget to call in daily?
Frequently missed check-ins and not checking in for extended periods of time will result in removal from the waitlist.
Can I work while I'm in treatment?
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.
Do you have day programs for individuals who can't be away from home for 90 days?
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.
Why do I have to be sober for 5 days prior to attending treatment?
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.
Does Fresh Start Recovery help clients find work/housing?
During treatment, participants set goals in 12 major life areas, including employment and housing. Your counsellor supports you in planning and working toward these goals. As treatment progresses, we help you prepare for employment, education, housing and ongoing recovery support. Some participants may remain in a supportive setting after treatment while arranging their next steps.
Can I go to school while in treatment?
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.
Does Fresh Start Recovery assist clients with securing Alberta Works funding?
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.
What are the 12 Steps?
The 12 Steps provide a framework for honesty, personal reflection, making amends and helping others in recovery. They are practised with support from peers and sponsors.
Read the original Twelve Steps from Alcoholics Anonymous. Our team can explain how 12-step work fits within Fresh Start’s treatment and ongoing support.
What makes Fresh Start Recovery different from other treatment centres?
Fresh Start brings together professional knowledge, lived experience and continuing community support. Treatment connects with recovery-oriented housing, Outreach, family support and alumni relationships.
In 2025, Fresh Start achieved Exemplary Standing through Accreditation Canada, introduced three shared client resources and celebrated four team members earning their Certified Addiction Counsellor designation.
We report treatment activity and outcomes with their year and definitions. Read about our treatment approach and calendar-2025 results.
Is treatment free?
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.
How much does treatment cost?
Please connect with our Director of Finance to discuss cost and funding options.
I don't have AHC but I really want to attend treatment at Fresh Start Recovery. What are my 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.
What can I do for my own recovery while I am waiting for a bed to open up?
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.
Do I have to attend 12 step meetings while I'm waiting for a bed to open up?
Fresh Start Recovery is 12-step based and it is strongly recommended to start attending 12-step meetings while waiting to arrive for treatment.
What if I have healthcare from another province/territory?
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.
What should I bring with me to treatment?
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.
Can my family visit? If so, when?
Family and friends are able to visit Monday – Sunday between 10:00 am and 10:00pm, outside of your program hours.
Can I attend treatment at Fresh Start Recovery if I have a family member already at Fresh Start Recovery?
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 at the same time, but at different facilities.
Can I smoke cigarettes while at Fresh Start Recovery?
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.
What is Fresh Start Recovery’s strategic plan?
Purpose: Providing Solutions to Save Lives, Rebuild Families, and Strengthen Communities.
Mission: Fresh Start Recovery’s mission is to provide relationship-based addiction treatment and ongoing support by meeting individuals where they are and walking with them through recovery, helping them rebuild their lives, reconnect with family, and stay engaged in a community that sustains recovery.
Vision: Meeting Every Individual, Supporting for Life.
Our 2023–2027 strategic plan guides organizational and operational development, program quality and stakeholder engagement, and IT infrastructure and compliance. Explore the plan and read our progress in the 2025 Annual Report.
How does Fresh Start Recovery structure its programs?
Fresh Start connects relationship-based treatment with recovery-oriented housing, Outreach and alumni support, and the Family and Friends Healing Initiative. These services help people stay connected during and after treatment, and support loved ones affected by addiction.
Contact Admissions to confirm program length, eligibility and current availability. Family and Friends can confirm upcoming series and registration.
How does Fresh Start Recovery spend its program funds?
Our financial statements cover a fiscal year ending March 31, separately from calendar-year program results.
For April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026, the board-approved statements report $10,435,136 in operating-fund revenue and $9,287,109 in operating-fund expenditures. These totals should not be read as direct program, administration or fundraising cost ratios.
How does Fresh Start Recovery measure program success?
We report treatment activity, participant feedback, housing capacity, family participation and continuing community connection.
In calendar 2025, Fresh Start recorded 366 treatment enrolments, 291 completions and 75 non-completions, an 80% completion rate. Completion is not a measure of long term abstinence.
At December 31, 2025, capacity was 123 treatment beds and 114 recovery-oriented housing beds. Outreach supported 427 people during the year.
See the source data and definitions in our 2025 Annual Report.
How does Fresh Start Recovery track its client demographics?
Demographic information helps us understand who accesses services and where barriers may remain. Results should be read with their reporting year, population and definitions.
Read the 2025 Annual Report for the current profile of the people we served.
How does Fresh Start Recovery set and achieve its program goals?
Our strategic plan connects service quality, access and continuing support. We review program activity and participant feedback to understand progress and identify where services can improve.
Our Calgary and Lethbridge Recovery-Oriented Housing initiative now provides 114 beds, including eight additional beds. In 2025, we scheduled 56 Family and Friends sessions across seven eight-session cycles, introduced three shared client resources and celebrated four team members earning their Certified Addiction Counsellor designation.
How does Fresh Start Recovery ensure the accuracy of its data?
We are committed to precise data reporting. Our outcomes management system collects and analyzes data at multiple intervals to ensure accuracy and continuous improvement.
Has Fresh Start Recovery’s work been reviewed by a third party?
Fresh Start achieved Exemplary Standing through Accreditation Canada in 2025, meeting 100% of assessed standards across our three facilities. Our financial statements are independently audited and board-approved.
Read the accreditation summary and review our financial statements.
How does Fresh Start Recovery evaluate and improve its programs?
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.
What are the long-term outcomes for Fresh Start Recovery’s clients?
Alumni follow-up asks about connection, support and life after treatment. In 2025, 98% of all follow-up responses reported attending 12-step meetings at least monthly, and 94% reported attending Fresh Start alumni meetings at least monthly.
At the 12-month follow-up, 96% of respondents reported having people they could rely on and 85% reported strong or improving family relationships. These are respondent measures, not outcomes for every graduate.
Read the questions, response counts and limitations in the report.
How does Fresh Start Recovery share its successes and challenges?
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.