You are the Director of Your own Recovery
Alexis called us wanted to talk about withdrawal symptoms from consuming roughly 10 drinks daily. We thought this was a good opportunity to highlight that, while we are well versed and experienced in the mental health and addiction field, we are not certified health professionals. In situations like this, it is best to contact your family doctor or speak with your provincial addiction hotline, such as ALBERTA HEALTH LINK (1.866.408.5465) in Alexis’ case. Alexis also mentioned that she dropped down to roughly 4 drinks a day and that her doctor had prescribed Benzodiazepines for the remainder of her withdrawal to help treat her anxiety. Alexis explained that drinking after work was more of a habit rather than dependence. She asked if we thought it would be a good idea to go camping for a few weeks to get her used to not drinking every day when 4 Pm rolled around. We replied that doing whatever she thought would help her break her “habit” would probably be best. After all, you are the director of your own recovery. It is important to feel a sense of ownership of your life and the confidence to know you can make the right decisions for yourself....
Alberta Alcohol Treatment for 24-year-old Female
In May, Spencer* called us looking for public alcohol treatment programs in Edmonton, Alberta for his 24-year-old Girlfriend. The first issue Spencer and his girlfriend would need to resolve is getting an Alberta Health Services (AHS) card, so we started by giving him information for the closest health services offices: Alberta Health Services How to register webpage: http://www.health.alberta.ca/AHCIP/how-to-register.html In person: Albertans may register for Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage and update their information at participating registry agent office locations across the province, free of charge. Telephone: 780-427-1432 (Edmonton) Monday–Friday 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed statutory holidays. Toll-free in Alberta, dial 310-0000 then 780-427-1432. Fax: 780-422-0102 (Edmonton) Mail: Alberta Health Attention: Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan P.O. Box 1360, Station Main Edmonton, AB T5J 2N3 Email*: For general information or non-personal questions regarding Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, email health.ahcipmail@gov.ab.ca. In order to access public alcohol treatment, Spencer’s girlfriend would need an assessment after she received her AHS card number. We gave him information to an AHS assessment office in Edmonton: Alberta Health Services 10010 102A Avenue NW Edmonton, AB T5J 0G5 Phone: (780) 427-2736 Note: Open Monday and Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday to Thursday 8:00 am to 9:00 pm. Intake/Assessment is available on a drop-in basis Monday, Tuesday, and Friday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm and Wednesday 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Because his girlfriend was currently in the process of withdrawing, he felt she did not need detox services. We skipped straight to giving him potential options for female alcohol treatment in Alberta: 1. Henwood 2. Poundmakers Lodge (First Nations program in Edmonton) 3. Aventa (Calgary young adult 90-day treatment for women) 4. Youville (Calgary) After providing a few residential treatment programs, we also gave Spencer the hotline phone number for AHS Addictions (1.866.332.2322), formally known as AADAC (Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission), in case he wanted to research other provincially funded treatment programs. Lastly, we also suggested he use this list of questions when researching treatment options for his girlfriend....
Male with Alcohol Dependency and Anxiety Issues
Troy uses alcohol on a daily basis to copy with anxiety problems. He is looking for a medical detox unit near Lethbridge, Alberta so that he could withdraw from alcohol for 3-10 days. He has spoken with a doctor about his anxiety and his alcohol abuse. The doctor prescribed him Diazepam for his withdrawals, but Troy didn’t find the medication helpful in dealing with his day-to-day anxiety. The closest medically supervised detox units are in Calgary. DETOX PROGRAMS IN CALGARY This link will take you directly to the listing of medical detox units in Calgary: http://www.sunshinecoasthealthcentre.ca/calgary-rehab.html#medical This is the link that is going to take you to the remaining DETOX UNITS (as well as other medical services related to addiction in ALBERTA): http://www.canadadrugrehab.ca/AB/Alberta-Detox-Medical-Alcohol-Drug-Rehab-Programs.html#medical2 When you are on the phone with these detox units, you will want to ask: What the intake procedure is like How long will the detox be What you need to bring POST WITHDRAWAL Here are some suggestions we gave Troy to consider after detox: DOCTOR Book an appointment to speak with your FAMILY DOCTOR to talk more about the your anxiety issues. It is likely that your doctor did not understand your concerns about daily anxiety when he prescribed you Diazepam. Try to explain to him that you used alcohol to cope with your level daily anxiety and that you are looking to find medications or alternatives to alcohol that will let you live a “normal” life without feeling anxious all the time. MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS Here is your local Mental Health and addiction office. This is where you would call to set up counselling to help you with your sobriety. There should be counsellors there that will help you both with alcohol and anxiety. Lethbridge Provincial Building Main Floor 200 5 Avenue S Lethbridge, AB T1J 4L1 Phone: (403) 381-5183 THERAPY Troy mentioned his wife was supportive of his sobriety. However, if he decides he needs to speak to someone about your addiction in a mediated environment here is a list of therapists that specialize in addiction treatment for the Lethbridge Area. Private practice addiction therapists in Lethbridge Fedunec, Michael – MA, CMMC, CSMC, CADMS Crossroad Counselling Centre #202, 542-7th Street S. Lethbridge, AB, T1J 2H1 Phone: (403) 327-7080 Website: www.crossroadscounselling.com Being raised in an abusive and alcoholic family has given Michael sensitivity and unique understanding towards those who experience stress, depression, anxiety, addiction, co-dependency, and marital and family conflict. Hagen, Brad – CCC, RN, PhD The University of Lethbridge School of Health Sciences 4401 University Drive Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4 Phone: (403) 329-2299 Treats individuals with mental health issues (e.g. depression, anxiety, hearing voices etc.), addictions, men’s issues, and mid-life issues. Brad utilizes Gestalt, Existential, and Transpersonal therapy. McCallum, Karim – M.Ed., CCC University of Lethbridge Faculty of Health Sciences 4401 University Drive Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4 Phone: (403)-332-4093 MEETINGS (Other Support Resources) Here is your local chapter of AA. Click the link, then select Lethbridge as your city and a list of meetings will come up. Your wife can attend the meetings that are “open”. Your wife may also be interested in in attending Al-Anon Family Groups:...
