Looking for rehab in Terminal City

January 18, 2006 7:31 PM

I need recommendations for private alcohol treatment programmes in Vancouver or the Lower Mainland/Vancouver Island area.

The subject has been suffering, as far as I know, all his life but has recently taken a turn for the worse after many years on the wagon (with AA). This episode has been an abject lesson in the complete lack of publicly-funded in-patient detox/rehab spots. Luckily, the family is not without means so are looking at private facilities in the "Betty Ford Clinic" vein. Googling turns up less than zero and AA haven't been helpful, either.

Any good hints?

(Oh, and I want to add I do not feel alcoholism is something to be ashamed of or hidden; the subject does not and would be mortified if it was revealed. That's the reason for this anonymous post.)

Thanks.

posted by anonymous to health & fitness (5 comments total)

Here's a couple: The Orchard (whoo, expensive) and Pacifica. Best of luck to the subject.
posted by Gator at 8:52 PM on January 18, 2006

Someone I know works for href="http://www.edgewood.bc.ca/">Edgewood in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Toll Free: 1-800-683-0111. He tells me that they are very highly regarded -- in his words, on the same level as Betty Ford -- in many circles and that high ranking officials, politicans, businesspeople and athletes come to the program. I also know two people who are alumni of the program. Both have been clean and sober (to the best of my knowledge) for some time now.

The facility is in Nanaimo in a quiet residential area. The area is fairly easy to get to for follow up (alumni) events or programs. The cost of real estate is lower there so I imagine you get more bang for your buck.

I don't get anything for suggesting this program to you. I have no personal experience with it, although I do trust the opinion of the person who works there. YMMV.
posted by acoutu at 9:04 PM on January 18, 2006

Sorry about that. My son started to cry and I hit post instead of preview.
posted by acoutu at 9:08 PM on January 18, 2006

I'll second Edgewood -- a family friend went there, and I've heard good things about it. This is purely anecdotal, of course.
posted by Felicity Rilke at 10:48 PM on January 18, 2006

My sister's ex-boyfriend was a guest of Edgewood (for heroin). She also realized that a former very-well regarded highschool physical education teacher was also a guest there at the same time for alcohol abuse (unrelated: he was one of the earlier patients with a permit to use medical marijuana).

The ex turned out ok, I never found out how the PE teacher turned out.

Sis' ex was 18 at the time, just graduated from HS. Being away from the city (and his suppliers) and injection friends helped somewhat. Not sure how effective being away from "home" would be for alcohol problems.
posted by PurplePorpoise at 10:50 PM on January 18, 2006