Recovery is possible. The Lethbridge Recovery Community provides live-in care at no cost for Albertans, operated by Fresh Start Recovery in partnership with the Government of Alberta. Together, we support connection, reflection, and growth so people can rebuild health, relationships, and community.

To start your journey today, call:

403-387-6266

Welcome to the Lethbridge Recovery Community

Located just outside Lethbridge, Alberta, the Lethbridge Recovery Community provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals seeking recovery from addiction. Operated by Fresh Start Recovery in partnership with the Government of Alberta, this live-in program is part of Alberta’s Recovery Model, offering care at no cost to Albertans.

Here, people live, learn, and grow together through a community-based approach that builds connection, accountability, and hope. Each person contributes to the fabric of healing, developing life skills, strengthening relationships, and discovering new purpose.

Our goal is to help individuals leave the program with the confidence, tools, and community support needed to sustain long-term wellness and recovery, while reconnecting with family, friends, and community.

About Alberta’s Recovery Model

Alberta’s Recovery Model connects prevention, intervention, treatment, and ongoing recovery supports across a continuum of care. It focuses on building recovery capital: the personal, social, cultural, and community resources that empower people to sustain long-term recovery. Services are person-centred, community-based, and designed to reduce stigma while increasing hope, belonging, and well-being.

About the Lethbridge Recovery Community

Operated by Fresh Start Recovery Centre in partnership with the Government of Alberta, the Lethbridge Recovery Community offers live-in addiction recovery care at no cost for Albertans. It is part of Alberta’s Recovery Model, a province-wide approach that connects prevention, treatment, and long-term recovery supports to help people rebuild their lives across multiple areas of wellbeing.

Within this therapeutic community, recovery is more than abstinence, it’s about transforming one’s lifestyle, identity, and relationships. Participants live and learn together, developing skills in communication, emotional regulation, and accountability while experiencing the support of peers and staff who walk beside them in recovery.

Programming combines evidence-based trauma-informed therapies, peer mentorship, and practical life-skills development in a structured environment. Residents take part in daily routines that balance personal growth, community responsibility, and meaningful activity, all designed to strengthen recovery capital, the personal, social, and community resources that help sustain long-term recovery.

At its heart, the Lethbridge Recovery Community is a place of belonging. It’s where people rediscover purpose, contribute to one another’s healing, and prepare to re-enter society with confidence, connection, and hope.

Live-in, no-cost for Albertans

Program, food, and lodging are covered for Albertans.

Community as a method of change

People recover together, practising responsibility, accountability, and support in daily life.

Connection beyond treatment

Transition planning, alumni networks, and community partners keep people connected.

Phase 1: Orientation

The focus is on safety, clear expectations, and establishing a recovery foundation through early counselling and group participation. Participants are introduced to routines like morning check-ins and shared responsibilities that support dignity and stability. Basic needs are addressed, healthcare and cultural supports are connected, and an initial plan with goals is created. A comprehensive biopsychosocial–spiritual assessment then guides the initial treatment plan. Individualized treatment planning is a collaborative process between the counsellor and the participant.

Phase 2: Primary Treatment

This phase deepens trauma-informed therapy through counselling, structured routines, and peer support. Guided by individualized treatment plans, participants build emotional regulation, communication, and accountability while pursuing goals such as connecting with alumni, strengthening supports, and improving overall wellbeing. As recovery capital grows, clients enhance coping skills, rebuild relationships, and explore education or employment opportunities. Daily routines balance groups, individual sessions, recreation, and reflection to help new habits take root.

Phase 3: Community Living

Participants take on greater responsibility and leadership roles while keeping a structured daily rhythm. Work-as-therapy is central as participants contribute through assigned roles, mentor newer peers, and model prosocial living. Recovery capital continues to grow through life-skills practice, cultural connection, recreation, and education or job training. Preparation for reintegration includes housing exploration, transportation planning, securing IDs and benefits, and links to health and cultural supports. Throughout, participants practise accountability, reflection, and peer support throughout the transition planning process.

Phase 4: Transition and Continuing Care

This final stage focuses on planning and stability after leaving the Recovery Community. Recovery community participants finalize housing, employment, and community connections, strengthen their recovery capital, and remain engaged through alumni programs, ongoing counselling, and peer support. Discharge planning includes a clear safety plan, connections to healthcare and cultural supports, and scheduled check-ins. Participants are encouraged to give back through peer and alumni activities, weekly support meetings and milestone celebrations. Keeping connection, reflection, and growth at the centre of long-term recovery.

Building Strength Beyond the Program

As participants prepare to complete the program, focus shifts toward independence and stability beyond the Recovery Community. Each person works with staff to develop a personalized transition plan that reflects their individual goals, strengths, and needs across all areas of life, physical, emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual.

This plan includes arranging safe housing, employment or education opportunities, community health supports, and ongoing connections to counselling, recovery meetings, and alumni networks. Families and loved ones are encouraged to participate in this planning whenever possible.

Ongoing care continues after residents return to their home community. Staff maintain regular check-ins and help connect each graduate with local supports such as physicians, peer groups, and housing or employment agencies. Continuing care may include alumni groups, ongoing individual or group counselling, and relapse prevention planning to strengthen long-term recovery.

Family, Belonging, and Community Connection

Family, Belonging, and Community Connection

Recovery is not a solo journey; it’s one we take together. At the Lethbridge Recovery Community, we believe family and community play a vital role in long-term healing. When people reconnect with loved ones, share progress, and celebrate milestones, it strengthens everyone involved.

Our team supports families through understanding and compassion. We help loved ones learn how to support recovery while taking care of themselves, creating healthier relationships built on honesty, patience, and hope.

Beyond family, connection extends into the broader community. Alumni return to share their stories and experience, local partners offer meaningful opportunities to give back, and community events remind us that recovery belongs to everyone.

Together, we continue building community with community, creating a network of care that reaches far beyond our walls and into the heart of Lethbridge and surrounding communities.

Start Your Journey

Start Your Journey

If you or someone you care about is ready to begin recovery, we’re here to help.

The Lethbridge Recovery Community offers live in care at no cost for Albertans, operated by Fresh Start Recovery in partnership with the Government of Alberta.

Every step is guided by compassion, respect, and safety. We’ll walk you through what to expect, answer your questions, and help you take the first step toward lasting change.

Who Can Apply

Adult Albertans seeking help with addiction
Willingness to participate in daily community life
Readiness to engage in personal growth and recovery

Contact Admissions – Call 403-387-6266

Our Partnership

The Lethbridge Recovery Community is operated by Fresh Start Recovery in partnership with the Government of Alberta as part of Alberta’s Recovery Model. Together, we’re helping to build a province where recovery is understood, supported, and accessible to everyone who seeks it.

This partnership reflects a shared belief that recovery is possible for all Albertans and that lasting change happens when people are supported at every part of their journey, mind, body, and spirit. The Lethbridge Recovery Community is one of several facilities across the province designed to provide care at no cost, ensuring that cost is never a barrier to healing.

Through collaboration with the Government of Alberta, we are proud to contribute to a province-wide network of Recovery Communities, Recovery Coaches, and peer supports that connect people to the resources, relationships, and opportunities they need to thrive. Together, we’re advancing a system that values compassion, healing, accountability, and community, helping Albertans rebuild their lives and strengthen their families and communities.

At its core, this partnership is about combining evidence-informed care with the humanity, respect, and belonging that make recovery real.

Recovery Alberta

The addiction and mental health helplines are a 24 hour, 7 day a week confidential service that provides support, information, and referrals to Albertans experiencing addiction and mental health concerns.

Learn more

The Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence

The Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence (CoRE) will ensure Alberta leads in developing data-driven policies and best practices for mental health and addiction recovery.

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Recovery communities

Recovery communities are an important part of the Alberta Recovery Model, providing Albertans struggling with addiction access to holistic, long-term treatment free of charge.

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Virtual Opioid Dependency Program (VODP)

Same-day medication starts anywhere in Alberta to help treat opioid dependency and increase chances of recovery.

Learn more

The Alberta Recovery Model focuses on four main pillars including prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery. Recovery Alberta will continue with this focus and ensure best practices are used from around the world to support evidence-based treatment and recovery. The Alberta Recovery Model was developed by the Government of Alberta – visit alberta.ca/recoveryworks to learn more.

YOU ARE NO LONGER ALONE – WELCOME HOME