A.1. Getting Started and Applying for the Program
How do I get started?
Why do you have two admission packages?
Why do I have to complete an admission form?
Is there a wait list?
How long do I have to wait to be admitted?
Does your program treat both drugs and alcohol?
Are there different programs provided for different drugs?
Does your program treat methadone?
Who do you accept in your program?
My son doesn’t think he has a problem. Can he still come to treatment?
What is the cost of the program?
Can my treatment be covered by insurance?
D.1. Policy Regarding Drinking or Using Drugs Prior to Admission
Do I have to be clean and sober when I arrive?
I have a fear of flying. Can I take something to calm my nerves?
My privacy is important. How are you going to protect it?
Can I have my own room?
Can I bring my cell phone?
Besides cell phones, is there another way I can contact friends and family?
Do you monitor my phone calls?
During my stay I need to do some business. Is it okay?
D.4. Things to Bring/Not to Bring
Can I bring any electronic devices ?
Can I bring my golf clubs? How about my guitar?
A.1. Getting Started and Applying for the Program
How do I get started?
If you’re reading this, you’re already on your way! Spending some time on our website is a great way to get started. If you have any questions or want to register call us toll-free at 1-866-487-9010. Our Admission Department is available 24 hours 7 days a week.
You do NOT need a referral from a doctor or counsellor before we will consider your application.
If you are looking for alcohol and drug treatment for the first time, we recommend you visit the Drug Treatment Basics section to help you become a more informed consumer.
Why do you have two admission packages?
We separated admission paperwork for the Primary Program into two separate packages so that the first portion (that does not require a signature) could be made interactive and email capable.
See Admission Package Part 1 for this document.
The second part of the admission package contains program information such as preparing for your stay (things to bring/not to bring), a fee schedule and funding guarantee forms that require an original signature. Collecting all additional admission information in one package rather than many smaller documents means less worry and hassle for you.
See Admission Package Part 2 for this document.
Why do I have to complete an admission form?
An obvious reason for completing an admission form is to determine if you are an appropriate referral for the program. Typically, most treatment centers gather information in the following categories ¹:
- Alcohol and Drug Use History: kinds, amounts, and frequency of use
- Treatment and Recovery History: number of previous treatments; participation in self-help groups; length of longest abstinence
- Mental Health History: psychiatric problems; current diagnoses, medications; current level of functioning/symptoms
- Quality of Lifestyle and Relationships; stability of relationships; type of social network (using or abstinent/in recovery); amount of social involvement and support; patients’ overall rating of their own quality of life.
- Employment: stability of employment; occupation; ability to work; consistent, adequate performance.
- Legal Situation: pending hearings, types of legal problems
- Health: overall level of health; use of medical services
An additional, if often overlooked, reason for gathering this information is to measure the effectiveness of your treatment experience. Without the collection of this data prior to a client admission, measuring the success of any treatment program is difficult to quantify.
The process of diagnosing your addiction and possible other behavioral disorders is known as assessment. For more information about assessment services at Sunshine Coast Health Center see the Assessment Services section.
(1) Source: Owen, P.L.; Measuring Treatment Progress: An Outcome Study Guidebook. 2003. Minnesota: Hazelden Publishing.
A.2. Wait List Information
Is there a wait list?
We typically do NOT have a waiting list but, surprisingly, alcohol and drug treatment is somewhat seasonal so we do ask that you contact us beforehand to confirm bed availability.
How long do I have to wait to be admitted?
Since we have on-site alcohol & drug detox services clients can usually be admitted within 48 hours. We recommend clients plan for a Monday or Wednesday admission but other days can be facilitated ¹.
(1) Note: pending availability of nursing staff to provide overnight client monitoring.
A.3. Kinds of Drugs We Treat
Does your program treat both drugs and alcohol?
Yes. Typically, clients indicate alcohol or cocaine as their primary drug of choice. It is not unusual for clients to be admitted for both cocaine and alcohol addiction. Less frequently, clients are admitted for addiction to prescription drugs, opiates (heroin, methadone, pain killers), marijuana, and crystal meth.
Are there different programs provided for different drugs?
No. We treat the person, not the drug. Developing an individualized treatment plan means working with a client to identify relationships, lifestyle, and health issues and strengthening recovery skills.
During the detoxification stage, however, your nurse will have different protocols to follow that are determined by the drug(s) (including alcohol) in your system.
Does your program treat methadone?
Clients currently on a Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) program present a challenge to residential treatment programs for a number of reasons. Clients wishing to come off of methadone should first understand that going “cold turkey” is extremely difficult. Typically, the recommended taper for methadone is 5 mg per week. Most inquiries we receive report clients that are on daily dosages over 30 mg so doing the math will tell you that the client will only be completing the taper just as they will be completing the program. Withdrawal symptoms experienced during a methadone taper (or methadone stabilization) vary depending on the individual, but typically make full participation in group and individual therapy difficult.
For clients who are new to methadone, stabilizing on methadone requires enhanced medical monitoring that most treatment centers are not willing to provide due to the amount of time a physician needs to dedicate to the task. For this reason methadone stabilization is typically provided in outpatient settings.
Finally, methadone is an opiate and this poses a philosophical challenge for abstinence-based programs that have a zero-tolerance policy for other opiates such as Oxycontin ™ and heroin.
At Sunshine Coast Health Center, our current policy is that clients who want to be treated need to taper down to their last dose of methadone of 5 mg on the morning prior to their arrival.
As of February 2008, Suboxone ™ (buprenorphine) is now commercially available in Canada and can be prescribed by trained physicians. Although the Medical Director at Sunshine Coast Health Center has been trained and can now prescribe Suboxone ™, additional time is required by our medical team to develop medical protocols and train nursing staff. For more information on buprenorphine refer to the Biological Treatment Modalities section.
See our Methadone section for more information. Please visit our News & Events section periodically for updates on our buprenorphine policy or call Admissions toll-free at 1-866-487-9010.
A. 4. Your Peer Group
Who Do You Accept in Your Program?
The program at Sunshine Coast Health Center is designed for mature, successful men that happen to have a problem with drugs or alcohol. The minimum age is 19 years old.
Typically, our clients are business owners, professionals, specialized tradesmen (oil & gas, forestry, etc.), or has a family member willing to pay for treatment. For the most part, our clients come from healthy, supportive families. Some self-refer but usually our first contact is with a concerned spouse or family member. Some are referred after consulting with their doctor, counsellor, or employer.
Although you will tend to relate to some of your peers more than others, you can be assured that your peer group will be a safe place to work on your sobriety.
Sunshine Coast Health Center reserves the right to intentionally limit clients from certain age groups as a way to maintain balance in the peer group. Since our philosophy is one where we treat clients like adults, clients who are not emotionally stable or have a history of resorting to violence when angered are typically referred to other programs with more supervision.
Sunshine Coast Health Center is a private, for-profit facility that receives no subsidy from government. Therefore, we are under no obligation to take clients on social assistance or that are transferring from a correctional facility or hospital psychiatric ward. Government treatment centers operate on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot discriminate based on a socioeconomic, criminal, or psychiatric history.
A. 5. Motivation
My son doesn’t think he has a problem. Can he still come to treatment?
Yes. Many of our clients enter treatment not so much because they want to get help but because they are in danger of losing something if they don’t get help. For example, depending on your relationship to your significant other, he may be going to treatment only because you are going to leave him and take the kids, he’s going to lose his job, his rent is not going to be paid, etc. All of these reasons are common. We call this approach “raising the bottom” and it’s an effective way to begin the process of change.
Interestingly enough, we find that once clients get into treatment how they got here is not an indicator of their progress during treatment because:
- once clients have a period of abstinence the ability to reflect on the impact of active addiction is greatly improved, and
- treatment allows clients to see themselves through their peers, providing personal insight without direct confrontation.
So, while having motivation is always important, how you get motivated may not be, especially when so much is at stake. If you are interested in learning more about how you can help your significant other into treatment visit the Family Intervention Help section.
What is the cost of the program?
For a complete fee schedule for the Primary Program, Family Program and various programs for alumni refer to the Fee Schedule section.
Can my treatment be covered by insurance?
Public health insurance plans (those provided by provincial governments) do not typically cover private drug and alcohol treatment unless there is a co-existing disorder that requires specialized programming (chronic pain or behavioral disorders). Currently, Sunshine Coast Health Center is not recognized by the government as a provider for specialized programming.
Private Canadian or American insurance will often cover treatment, however, clients will be required to pay Sunshine Coast up front and then seek reimbursement directly with their insurance provider after client discharge. Sunshine Coast will help provide information or documentation to facilitate reimbursement with your insurance company. Individual insurance plans vary widely so it is always a good idea to contact your provider beforehand.
C. LENGTH OF STAY FAQ
How long is your residential alcohol and drug rehab program?
Our residential alcohol and drug program for first-time clients is the Primary Program, which is 30,42, 60, or 90 days in length. Most clients start off with the 42-day program but a longer stay may, however, be recommended by the clinical team in the event that clients require more time to establish a strong foundation for recovery, or if psychotherapy has been delayed due to an extended stay in detoxification, or medical complications including emergency hospitalization. The decision to extend treatment is made by the clinical team as part of an ongoing assessment of the individual client.
D.1. Policy Regarding Drinking or Using Drugs Prior to Admission
Do I have to be clean and sober when I arrive?
No. Clients need not be clean or sober when they arrive at Sunshine Coast Health Center. Your admission starts in our medical detox, staffed with nurses trained to help you during your withdrawal from drugs and/or alcohol.
We are committed to keeping the facility safe for all clients so your belongings will be searched to ensure that mood-altering substances are not on site.
Once you are admitted, however, use or possession of alcohol or non-prescribed medication will result in immediate discharge.
I have a fear of flying. Can I take something to calm my nerves?
Clients should see their doctor if they are considering medication to help with anxiety during travel. Be sure to advise your doctor if alcohol or other drugs are already in your system since combining medications with alcohol or drugs can be lethal. If you are considering an off-the-counter medication that does not require a prescription and you do not have time to see your doctor please immediately notify the Admissions staff toll-free at 1-866-487-9010.
My privacy is important. How are you going to protect it?
We understand the stigma attached to seeking help for drug and alcohol addiction. Our location on 5 private acres, 15 minutes from Powell River (a town of approximately 25,000 people) is far enough removed from major urban centers that there will be minimal chance of meeting an acquaintance.
Moreover, since we are not a government facility, your records are not shared online with other government agencies; all records are strictly for internal use. As a private Canadian facility, we are under no reporting obligation to any US state, federal authorities or American licensing body.
Can I have my own room?
Yes. For an additional fee, Sunshine Coast Health Center provides private accommodation (single occupancy) rooms.
D.3. Phone Privileges
Can I bring my cell phone?
Yes. Clients are allowed to bring their cell phones.
Besides cell phones, is there another way I can contact friends and family?
Two indoor phone booths are provided for clients to make private calls. * Each client phone has a separate, unpublished number. Clients are responsible for giving out the phone numbers to friends and family.
For friends and family that cannot reach their loved one via the client phone, a message can be left with Sunshine Coast Administration by phoning toll free 1-866-487-9050, emailing info@schc.ca, or faxing 604-487-9012.
(*) Note: Clients will require a phone card for long distance calls.
Do you monitor my phone calls?
Absolutely not.
During my stay I need to do some business. Is it okay?
Sunshine Coast Health Center understands that clients may need to tend to business matters. During their treatment stay clients have access to office equipment (fax, photocopier, online desktop computer) and courier services.
However, it is essential that clients stay focused on their recovery and be willing to delegate routine tasks to business colleagues or family members.
D.4. Things to Bring/Not to Bring
CAN I BRING ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICES?
Personal communication (cellphones, Blackberry's, etc.), audio (iPods, MP3 players, etc.), and computing devices (notebooks, laptops) * are permitted provided that usage rules are observed at all times. Cameras or video equipment are not permitted, as is picture taking of any kind.
(*) Note: Wireless Internet is not available.
Can I bring my golf clubs? How about my guitar?
Clients need not bring golf clubs since they are supplied at the Centre, along with other sporting goods such as footballs, baseball gloves, soccer balls and Frisbees. We encourage clients to bring their guitars. Use of sporting goods and guitar must follow scheduled leisure hours.
Refer to preparing for your stay for a list of things to bring/not to bring.
E. PROGRAMS & SERVICES FAQ
See the Programs & Services FAQ section.
F. TRAVEL FAQ
Topics in the Travel FAQ section include:
- About Powell River
- Travel From the USA
- Transferring in Vancouver
- Hotels in Vancouver
- Travel & Accommodations in Powell River
See the Travel FAQ section for details.
Directory of Alcohol & Drug Rehab Programs
- Rehab By Province
- Rehab By State
- Rehab By Cities
Drug Info
- Drug Info
- Alcohol
- Cocaine
- Crack
- Marijuana
- Heroin
- Pain Killers
- Oxycontin
- Crystal Meth
- Methadone
- PCP
- Ketamine
- LSD
- Ecstasy
- Peyote
- Mushrooms
- STP/DOM/MDA
- PMA
- DMT
- 2C-B or DOB
- DXM
- Vicodin
- Opium
- Fentanyl
- Sleeping Pills
- Benzodiazepines
- Barbiturates
- GHB
- Inhalants
- Ritalin
- Adderall
- Methcathinone
- Khat
- Cannabis
- Hashish
- Tobacco
- Steroids
- Paraphernalia
- Overdose First Aid
Sunshine Coast Health Center is a provincially-approved drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility licensed by 
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