Ontario Helplines:
Ontario Drug and Alcohol Helpline
Call, Chat and Email services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Toll Free: 1-800-565-8603
Ontario Mental Health Helpline
Call, Chat and Email services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Toll Free: 1-866-531-2600
Crisis Lines:
Distress Centre (613-238-3311)
Mental Health Crisis Line (613-722-6914)
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line (1-855-242-3310)
Overdose Prevention Hotline (1-888-853-8542)
(Call to have someone stay on the phone with you while using substances to call emergency services if an overdose occurs)
National Overdose Response Service (1-888-688-6677)
(The caller is connected to a volunteer safe consumption supervisor who will stay on the line with the caller for 15-30 mins as they use. If required, additional support will be offered. If the caller becomes unresponsive, a safety plan is enacted or they’ll call 911) Better to be safe than sorry if you think you’re at risk of an overdose.
12 Step Programs
AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) www.aa.org
The grand daddy of the 12 step programs. I’m a big advocate of AA, and it works if you’re ready to get at it. If you’re open to the concept of a higher power, open to doing step work, and hitting up meetings, then this is a great option for you. Plus there’s a ton of meetings available, everyday of the week, both online and in-person. I highly recommend going to a bunch of different meetings, finding one that you feel good enough to make it your home group and then find a sponsor.
NA (Narcotics Anonymous) www.na.org
Same framework as AA, but focused on drugs as the primary addiction. I know folks that go to both. If drugs are part of your story, I recommend trying it out.
Other Programs
SMART Recovery – www.smartrecovery.org
I’ve been to a few SMART meetings in the past, it’s a good alternative to AA if you can’t wrap your head around a higher power, in my opinion. They focus on science – Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Unlike AA, it allows for cross talk in meetings which some people like. The only downside from my perspective is that there aren’t a lot of meetings to attend. Far and few between. And has lots of AA haters.
Access Programs
Serenity Renewal for Families www.serenityrenewal.ca
I love this place.
They offer counseling services and workshops for individuals, couples, and families who are directly or indirectly affected by drug and alcohol use.
AccessMHA www.accessmha.ca
(coordinated access program that will provide information and connections to people aged 16+, for mental health and substance use)
ConnexOntario www.conexontario.ca
(coordinated access program giving 24/7 information and connections to mental health and substance use services across Ontario)
Coalition Ottawa www.coalitionottawa.ca
(These guys provide access to Ottawa area Community Health Centres. They have six locations, you can find the locations on the site. Services range from crisis support, counseling, family counseling, walk-in counseling, assessments, support/activity groups, harm reduction stuff)
OHIP Covered Substance Use Services
Service Access to Recovery (SAR)
Phone: 613-241-5202
Address: 338 Montreal Rd
For 16+, they can discuss treatment options. They can also help anyone under 16 years old struggling with Opioids. They’ll help you navigate the system for more options.
Withdrawal Management Centre (Detox Only)
Phone: 613-241-1525
Address: 1777 Montreal Rd
This is a voluntary detox center. For age 16+, you can call them and see if they have a bed available to detox. You can stay up to 7 days. If you leave the building, you can’t go back. They’ve got meetups, AA meetings, NA meetings, meals, etc.
My two cents: if you’re stuck somewhere that you can’t get a break from and need to disconnect from addiction, this is a safe spot.