Centralized Access and Rapid Engagement Service (CARES) provides screening, assessment, treatment recommendations and referrals to Island Health Mental Health and Substance Use and external community programs in the Victoria area. The intake team includes professionals with backgrounds in social work, nursing, substance use treatment and psychology, with psychiatrist support to make referral decisions.
Visit the CARES Brochure for more information and completing referrals.
Island Health Outpatient Treatment for Substance Use provides services to adults aged 19 and over who are experiencing drug and alcohol problems. In some of our communities, services are also available to adults currently affected by a family member’s use.
Dependent on where you live, various free and confidential services will be available:
Visit Island Health Treatment for more information.
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Island Health – Rapid Access Addiction Clinic (RACC)
The Rapid Access Addiction Clinic supports individuals with opioid use disorder by starting and maintaining clients on opioid agonist (replacement) therapy (Buprenorphine/Naloxone[Suboxone]/Methadone/Kadian)
Visit the Island Health – Rapid Access Addiction Clinic for more information.
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Island Health – Recovery Addictions Support (RAS)
RAS is an abstinence-based program for individuals recovering from substance use addiction offering daily psycho-educational groups covering a great variety of topics related to recovery, mental health, and wellness.
These groups are facilitated by an Addiction Clinician, Addiction Counsellor, and Addiction Workers. The psycho-educational groups address the biopsychosocial aspects of recovery including stress reduction, healthy boundaries, anxiety, anger, communication skills, depression, and dozens of other topics to support the needs of clients with co-occurring diagnoses.
Recovery from substance misuse involves more than just stopping use. It requires a significant commitment on your part to change many aspects of your life: friends; attitudes; behaviour; coping strategies; etc. We want to help you acquire the tools for a positive recovery, and by utilizing these resources, you can lay the foundations for a healthy life.
There is a hope that you will be an active participant in the group discussions. In order to maintain the integrity of the program and the safety of clients, while acknowledging that relapse is a part of the addiction and recovery process, we have developed a relapse procedure that addresses the safety of clients at Recovery Addiction Support while recognizing the recovery needs of individuals.
Visit the Island Health- Mental Health and Substance Use Services for more information.
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Island Health – Family Recovery Addictions Support (FRAS)
Family Recovery Addiction Support is a weekly support group for people affected by someone else’s substance use. Anybody who is affected by someone in their life who is dealing with addiction is eligible.
Information is provided to attendees by discussion and psychoeducational presentations. The Recovery Addiction Support team, made up of Addiction Clinicians, Addiction Counsellors, and Addiction Workers, facilitate FRAS. Participation is guided by principles of inclusion, understanding and education. Emphasis is placed on cultural awareness and safety.
Having a loved one in active addiction can be a difficult place to be and will have a toll. Attending regular FRAS group meetings will help you gain understanding and acquire the skills needed to support your loved one.
Groups are offered every Wednesday from 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Visit the Island Health- Mental Health and Substance Use Services for more information.
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Island Health – Vancouver Island Youth & Family Substance Use Services
Youth and Family Substance Use Services is committed to providing effective, integrated, strength-based community services that are accessible and accountable to youth and their supports.
Visit South Island Resources for more information.
Help Information Lines
Alcoholics Anonymous Victoria: 250-383-7744
Narcotics Anonymous 24- hour Support Line Victoria: 250-383-3553
Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-888-795-6111
BC Mental Health and Addictions Information Lin:e 1-800-661-2121
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Crisis Lines
The Vancouver Island Crisis Line
The Vancouver Island Crisis Line provides a supportive listening ear for people in emotional distress and connection to emergency mental health services when needed. The phone number is the same for all areas of Vancouver Island.
Call 1-888-494-3888 or visit the 24-Hour Vancouver Island Crisis Line for more information.
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Crisis Chat services
Monday – Sunday: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Crisis Text
250-800-3806
Monday – Sunday: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
The KUU-US Crisis Line is a resource for suicide prevention for Indigenous people on Vancouver Island and in the province of British Columbia. Help is available 24-hours a day. If you are facing a crisis, call any time.
Adult Crisis Line: 250-723-4050
Youth Crisis Line: 250-723-2040
Vancouver Island and province-wide: 1-800-588-8717
Mothers for Recovery is a virtual support group provided by BCAPOPS. This group was created by recovering mothers, for recovering mothers and is co-facilitated by a peer with lived experience and a Registered Clinical Counsellor.
A safe and confidential grassroots support group for people who identify as mothers who are pregnant or are a parent and are seeking recovery from substance use.
Groups run virtually every Friday at 9:30 am
Email Amy at mfr@pregnancyhub.org or visit the PBCAPOPS Pregnancy Hub for more information and how to register.
The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) Virtual Substance Use and Psychiatry Service provides individuals with access to specialists in addictions medicine and psychiatry as well as mental health and wellness care coordinators.
This is a referral-based service and is available at no cost to all First Nations people and their family members living in BC, including family members who are not Indigenous. Specialists and care coordinators are dedicated to the principles and practices of cultural safety and humility, and to delivering trauma-informed care.
Visit the FNHA Substance Use and Psychiatry Services for more information.
Pegasus Recovery Solutions (Private)
Pegasus Recovery Solutions was founded in 2007 to provide comprehensive services to people dealing with substance abuse. They recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addiction recovery, so they offer a range of options to fulfill individual needs and circumstances. The team at Pegasus has extensive experience in treating substance use disorder and the skills to provide the right level of support and direction throughout every step of the recovery process. They offer extensive services to both online and in-person individuals suffering from addiction. Their Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) offers the best in addiction treatment care while allowing you to manage daily life.
Visit Pegasus Recovery Solutions for more information.
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Cedars at Cobble Hill
Cedars is committed to ensuring that each patient receives the best possible treatment for their individual situation. This is accomplished by thorough assessment and re-assessment of how the patient is responding to treatment.
All programs are invitational, never confrontational.
Cedars clinical and support staff will invite each patient to explore how to reach their full recovery, which will include improved self-esteem, fulfilling relationships and accomplishing individual goals.
Our gender-specific residences were created to foster private, safe interpersonal boundaries for individuals entering addiction treatment. Although it is important for co-ed integration during various stages of the treatment process, Cedars provides gender specific housing and women’s group activities that create a safe and harmonious environment for each patient. This atmosphere of openness and acceptance within the group not only reduces external distractions, but also provides clients with a strong level of comfort.
Visit Cedars at Cobble Hill for more information.