Modalities of Treatment 

Addiction Treatment Modalities

Addiction is a complex and deeply personal experience. Effective treatment must be flexible, inclusive, and grounded in evidence-based care. At our organization, we offer a broad continuum of clinical, peer-led, abstinence-based, and harm-reduction modalities that honour the dignity, autonomy, and humanity of every individual on their journey toward wellness.

1. Individual Therapy

One-on-one counselling provides a safe and confidential space for clients to explore the root causes of substance use, including trauma, mental health challenges, emotional regulation, and life stressors. Evidence-based approaches may include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI).

2. Group Therapy

Group therapy fosters shared healing, connection, and mutual support. Sessions are facilitated by clinicians or trained peers and focus on recovery education, relapse prevention, emotional development, and skill-building within a supportive community environment.

3. Peer Support

Peer support is delivered by individuals with lived experience of addiction and recovery. This model offers mentorship, hope, and non-judgmental guidance, helping to reduce stigma and strengthen a sense of belonging and accountability.

4. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

For individuals with opioid use disorder or other substance dependencies, medications such as Suboxone, Methadone, and Naltrexone can be life-saving when integrated with counselling and psychosocial supports. MAT is offered as part of a comprehensive, individualized care plan.

5. Abstinence-Based Treatment

Abstinence-based care supports individuals whose recovery goals include complete cessation of substance use. This approach emphasizes accountability, structure, therapeutic engagement, and long-term recovery planning. Services may include residential treatment, relapse prevention planning, recovery-oriented counselling, and connection to abstinence-based peer support communities. Abstinence-based care is particularly effective for individuals seeking stability, routine, and sustained recovery within a structured environment.

6. Harm Reduction Modalities

Harm reduction meets individuals where they are, supporting safety and well-being without requiring abstinence as a condition for care. These services aim to reduce overdose risk, prevent disease transmission, and support engagement with healthcare and social services. Harm reduction supports may include:

• Safer Supply Programs – Access to pharmaceutical-grade alternatives to toxic street drugs
  
  

• Supervised Consumption & Safe Injection Services – Safe spaces that reduce overdose and infection risks
  
  

• Naloxone Distribution & Overdose Prevention – Training and access to life-saving tools
  
  

• Housing First & Supportive Housing – Recognizing stable housing as foundational to recovery
  
  

• Basic Needs & Safer Use Supplies – Sterile equipment, hygiene kits, and food security supports
  
  

• Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) – Patches, gum, lozenges, and education to support tobacco reduction or cessation
  
  

7. Holistic Therapies

Healing occurs on multiple levels—mind, body, and spirit. We integrate holistic approaches such as mindfulness practices, Indigenous healing traditions, art and music therapy, yoga, and nature-based activities to support balance, self-expression, and overall well-being.

8. Trauma-Informed Care

Substance use and trauma are deeply interconnected. All services are delivered through a trauma-informed lens that prioritizes emotional safety, trust, empowerment, and respect for each person’s lived experience.

9. Family & Community Support

Addiction affects families and communities as a whole. We offer family counselling and education to help rebuild relationships, strengthen communication, and create supportive recovery environments beyond the individual.

10. Self-Help and Mutual Aid Groups

Peer-led recovery communities are a vital component of sustained recovery. We support connections to a range of options, including:

• 12-Step Programs – Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), and others
  
  

• SMART Recovery – A science-based, self-empowerment model rooted in CBT principles
  
  

• Sober Faction – A peer-run, harm reduction–oriented recovery community
  
  

• Refuge Recovery, LifeRing, and other alternatives – Mindfulness-based, secular, or individualized recovery approaches
  
  

11. Case Management & Aftercare

Our team provides ongoing support for housing, employment, education, healthcare navigation, and relapse-prevention planning—ensuring continuity of care beyond the initial treatment phase.

An Integrated Approach to Recovery

Although Alpha House is an abstinence-based program, we recognize that recovery is not linear and that individuals arrive with different needs, goals, and levels of readiness. For this reason, we work closely with harm reduction and community partners to ensure a coordinated continuum of care that supports safety, engagement, and long-term wellness.

Treatment modalities are most effective when combined and individualized. A person may engage in abstinence-based programming while also receiving individual therapy, peer support, holistic care, and community-based services. This integrated approach allows us to support the whole person—not just their substance use.

Every modality has purpose and value, and effectiveness depends on the individual’s goals and circumstances. Whether someone is pursuing abstinence, harm reduction, or a combination of approaches, we are committed to walking alongside them with compassion, respect, clinical expertise, and lived experience.

We are here to help guide that process—safely, thoughtfully, and without judgment.