Alcohol & Drug Rehab Programs & Services

ALUMNI PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Introduction

Those who complete the residential addiction treatment program at Sunshine Coast Health Center can be justifiably proud of the accomplishment. After all, recovery takes courage and patience— two virtues which are not required when one is stuck in active addiction. While we recognize that treatment is a crucial first step, your life after treatment is, ultimately, what matters most.

As an alumnus, we recognize that it is difficult to maintain the sense of renewal and hope you experienced working within the friendly confines of Sunshine Coast. You may be frustrated that the world you have returned to does not seem all that different from the one you left. Moreover, relationships, financial and career challenges may be complicating your recovery. Eventually, you may find yourself in a situation where the urge to drink or use drugs exceeds your capacity for self-management.

Our experience working with clients over the years is that, in the excitement of returning home, many clients forget how important it is to use the tools and support provided for the difficult transition and ongoing challenge of life after treatment. Sunshine Coast has developed a program for alumni that recognizes the need to replace the protective ‘bubble’ of residential treatment with an alternative structure at home. Post-treatment services assist clients in connecting to:

1. the clinical staff at Sunshine Coast
2. family and friends
3. resources in their home community

Sunshine Coast Health Center recommends that clients and their families take full advantage of the programs and services listed on this page.

Graduates of the Primary Program have several options to support their efforts at maintaining sobriety following treatment.

1. Alumni Program (30-day) *

While the Primary Program lays a foundation for recovery, the Alumni Program offers alumni the opportunity to focus on their unique circumstances that has led them to relapse. Participation in the Alumni Program can shift the view of relapse as a failure to a teachable moment. When swift, decisive action is taken, relapse can be an opportunity to strengthen your recovery plan.

For more information visit the Relapse Prevention page of this website.

2. Alumni Online Support Program

By participating in the online support program, alumni can receive ongoing support from the clinical staff at Sunshine Coast Health Center. Participants receive a weekly email linking them to a secure website where a topic is introduced along with several thought-provoking questions pertaining to the topic. Client responses are then reviewed by the recovery coach. In addition, participants in the online support program also have the opportunity to update staff on their recovery and, if necessary, reach out for help. For clients who don’t have the time or inclination to read the lesson, a video summary of the lesson is also provided. Hosted by program director Geoff Thompson, Ph.D.(cand.), each lesson provides fresh new content that focuses on the practical aspects of addiction recovery.

This service is provided on a free basis for as long as an alumnus maintains a valid email address. For more information refer to Online Support Quick Facts.

Recovery Coach

At Sunshine Coast, we recognize that clients returning home require additional resources to replace what they had during treatment. In response to this challenge, a full-time recovery coach has been designated to work with alumni and keep them engaged in their personal recovery. Clients get to know the recovery coach while in treatment, which provides the trust and familiarity necessary to partner with them following their return home.

The recovery coach stays connected with clients through many of the alumni services detailed in this brochure as well as facilitating communication between alumni and the rest of the clinical team.

Alumni Dinners

New to Sunshine Coast, alumni dinners are informal recovery events held in towns and cities across British Columbia and Alberta. Alumni dinners provide an opportunity to connect with other alumni and build a local recovery community. For more information on scheduled dates and times visit the News & Events page or contact us if you would like to help organize an alumni dinner.

Alumni Community Meetings

Clients returning to Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver can attend alumni-only support groups on either a weekly or bi-weekly basis (depending on the city).

Electronic Meetings

New to Sunshine Coast, electronic meetings are now available as a convenient way to re-experience the power of a peer group. Facilitated by the recovery coach, electronic meetings are free to alumni and are scheduled throughout the week at times that don’t conflict with school or work.

Update Your Contact Information

Have you moved? Do you have a new phone number or email? Please update your contact information by using the Alumni Contact Info form. You can email this form directly from your computer. Alternatively, you can print out and send the form by mail or fax to:

Alumni Relations c/o
Sunshine Coast Health Centre
2174 Fleury Road
Powell River, BC V8A 4Z2
Canada
Fax: 604-487-9012

Visit the Self-Help Section

A section in the Self-Help section of this website has been devoted to life after treatment. For more information visit the Addiction Recovery section in Self-Help.

Tell Us Your Story of Recovery or Give Us an Update

Would you be willing to share your recovery story with others on this Web site? Your testimonial will help others that have started or are still contemplating the road to recovery. Your anonymity is guaranteed. To send us a short note, please visit the Contact Us section.

 

Register for Programs BLOG FAQ

Sunshine Coast Health Center is a provincially-approved drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility licensed by VCH

Sunshine Coast Health Center is an accredited health care provider with Accreditation Canada