Resources

You have New Beginnings Addiction Counselling to help you, but we also have some resources for you. Welcome to our comprehensive resources page, designed to support and guide you through the journey of addiction recovery. Whether you're seeking assistance for yourself or someone you care about, our curated collection of resources offers education, empowerment, and a wealth of information every step of the way. Explore our selection of articles, tools, and support networks to find the help you need to navigate the path to recovery with confidence and hope.

To search for all available services in the province, use the HealthLinkBC Directory. If you need help finding a service or a resource, call 8-1-1 any time of the day, any day of the year.

Your Health Authority

To learn more about mental health or substance use information and services in your area, visit your Health Authority website listed below.

Alcohol & Drug Information and Referral Service

Call 1-800-663-1441 (toll-free in B.C.) or 604-660-9382 (in the Lower Mainland) to find resources and support. They can refer you to services across the province.

Websites

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS), an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), provides a range of specialized mental health and substance use services for adults across the province. Visit BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services.

Bounce Back

Bounce Back is led by the BC Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association. Their program is designed to help adults experiencing symptoms of mild to moderate depression, low mood, or stress, with or without anxiety.

Care to Speak

Care to Speak is a peer support service for those working in healthcare. Care to Speak provides non-judgmental and confidential mental health support. The service is available over the phone at 1-866-802-7337 (PEER). An online chat is also available. It is available from 5pm to 9pm Monday to Friday and from 10am to 2pm Monday to Wednesday.

Crisis Centre

The Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC (Crisis Centre) is a non-profit, volunteer organization committed to helping people help themselves and others deal with crisis. Their services include a 24/7 distress phone line, online distress services and community education. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE).

HeretoHelp

HeretoHelp provides information related to mental health and substance use. Their website includes personal stories, self-help resources and information about getting help now. See Here to Help to learn more.

Heads Up Guys

Heads Up Guys is based out of the University of British Columbia and is part of the Men’s Depression and Suicide Network, a Canada-wide initiative to develop resources, services and programs to improve the mental health and well-being of men. Their website provides information, tips and advice to support men in their fight against depression. See Heads Up Guys to learn more.

MindHealthBC

Developed by Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence Health Care, MindHealthBC provides easy access to information and resources related to mental health and substance use conditions. Visit their website to find help for yourself or to help someone you know.

SMARTRecovery BC

SMARTRecovery BC provides addiction recovery support to individuals. The SMARTRecovery porgram is based on the latest scientific research and is part a world-wide community of science-based mutual help groups.

Websites for Children, Teens and their Families

BC Children's Hospital - Mental Health Services

Mental Health Services at BC Children's Hospital provides psychiatric assessment, short-term individual, family and group treatment and medication review. See mental health services for children.

Foundrybc.ca

Foundrybc.ca offers health and wellness resources, services and supports for young people ages 12-24 across BC. Visit Foundrybc.ca to learn more.

Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre

The BC Children's Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre provides mental health and substance use information and resources, assistance navigating the mental health system, as well as free personalized support from parent peer support workers. Services are available to families across BC and Yukon with children and youth up to age 24, by phone, email, or a virtual meeting. Many online resources, educational events and webinars are also available for parents and caregivers, and school professionals.

Kids Help Phone

Kids Help Phone is a toll-free, 24-hour, phone counselling, web counselling, and referral service for children and youth. The service is completely anonymous and confidential. To speak to a counsellor, call 1-800-668-6868.

Tools and Apps

MonSTRESSity

MonSTRESSity is an interactive online game to help you cope in different situations where you might experience anxiety. See MonSRESSity to find out more.

Worry Rockets

Worry Rockets is an online game to help "launch" your worries away.

(Taken from HealthLinkBC)

Substance use treatment options

First Nations Treatment Centres: In British Columbia there are currently 10 First Nations residential treatment centres.

Opioid Agonist Treatment: Opioid agonist treatment is the first-line recommended treatment for opioid use disorder, also known as opioid dependence or addiction. In opioid agonist treatment, opioid substitution medication (such as Suboxone or methadone) is provided to an individual to manage opioid withdrawal. This treatment is prescribed by a physician and may be offered as part of residential or outpatient treatment programs.

Outpatient Treatment Services: Substance use services and supports provided in an office or outpatient clinic setting. Services may include one-on-one or group counselling, connection to medical treatment such as opioid agonist treatment, and help accessing other community supports such as housing and peer support groups.

Residential Treatment: Time-limited, live-in intensive treatment (typically 60-90 days) for individuals experiencing substance use-related challenges. Treatment includes group and one-on-one counselling, medical consultations, as well as life skills training, family support programs and other programs such as art, yoga, music and narrative therapies.

Stabilization and Transitional Services: A temporary residential setting that provides a safe environment with medical and clinical supports for individuals who are experiencing complex substance-use problems and unstable living conditions.

Supportive Recovery Residences: Supportive recovery services can be delivered in different environments, including licensed residences or registered assisted living residences. Supportive recovery residences provide a safe, communal environment where individuals have the opportunity and the support to focus on their recovery journey and are suitable for people who may have completed a more intensive treatment program or require daily structure and support to prepare them for a more intensive treatment program.

Withdrawal Management – Facility or Residential Based: A short-term service (up to 7 days) that provides clinical support to people withdrawing from substances. Withdrawal management takes place in different settings, including community, hospital, or home (with clinical team support).

Substance-Use Sobering and Assessment Beds: A short-term (less than 24 hours), safe place for people under the influence of substances. When possible, individuals are connected to other health-care services, such as opioid substitution therapy, withdrawal management, group therapy and one-on-one outpatient counselling.

Detox

Detox, or withdrawal management, is often seen as a way to "dry out" or "get clean."

Detox alone does not address the many underlying factors that can lead to substance use challenges. If used, withdrawal management should be accompanied by ongoing treatment, such as outpatient treatment services, opioid agonist treatment, or residential treatment.

Additional services

Alcohol and Drug Information & Referral Service: Individual, family, and small group counselling for people of all ages who are affected by alcohol and other drug use. Call the 24-hour BC Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service toll-free from anywhere in B.C. at 1-800-663-1441 or from the lower mainland at 1-604-660-9382.

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services: substance use and mental health services for children, adolescents and adults across the province.

Supervised Consumption and Overdose Prevention Services: places where people can use drugs under supervision from a trained healthcare professional to reduce the risk of an overdose.

Support Groups and Social Support: find support in groups of others who have the same challenges, in groups led by professionals, and in your relationships with family and friends. Some options:

LifeRing (alcohol and drug peer support programs across B.C.)
Narcotics Anonymous (peer support group for narcotic addictions)

Here to Help: Information related to substance use and mental health, including personal stories, self-help resources and information about getting help now.

Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre: A provincial resource centre that provides substance use and mental health information, resources, and peer support to children, youth and their families from across B.C.

Emergency 911

If you suspect an overdose, call 911 right away and follow SAVE ME protocol while waiting for first responders.

HealthLink BC 811

Call 811 from anywhere in British Columbia to speak with a nurse about non-emergency health matters any time of the day or night. More details are available at HealthLink BC.