8 new addiction recovery focused beds opening in Port Alberni

Port Alberni residents and surrounding communities will soon have greater access to addiction treatment closer to home as the Province and Island Health expand local substance-use services.

The Province announced Friday that eight new supportive recovery and stabilization beds will open at Inlet Recovery Home in late summer, providing 24-hour care for adults aged 19 and older who require bed-based treatment and recovery support.

Health Minister Josie Osborne said access to care within a person’s own community can play an important role in recovery.

“Every person’s path through addiction, treatment and recovery is different, and it is rarely a straight line,” said Osborne. 

“I know how important it is for people experiencing addictions in the Alberni Valley to be able to get help close to home, surrounded by their community and the people who care about them.”

The new beds are intended to reduce barriers such as travel and cost that can make it difficult for people to access treatment elsewhere on Vancouver Island.

Clients are expected to stay between 30 and 90 days, receiving recovery-focused care that includes goal setting, wellness programming and daily living supports to help prepare them for a successful return to independent community living or continued care.

“For many people in Port Alberni up until now, getting this level of care meant leaving the community,” said Leah Hollins, chair of Island Health’s board of directors. 

“Inlet Recovery Home expands local options, helping people access treatment closer to home in a supportive, community-based setting.”

The facility will be operated by Connective, a non-profit organization that provides mental health, substance-use and community support services throughout British Columbia under contract with Island Health.

The new recovery beds are part of BC’s Road to Recovery model, which aims to provide a full continuum of care for people experiencing substance-use challenges, from detox and treatment through to aftercare and long-term recovery supports.

According to the Province, BC now has 3,829 publicly funded substance-use treatment beds, including 879 new treatment and recovery beds added since 2017.

People seeking information about the new Port Alberni service can contact Westcoast Mental Health and Substance Use at (250) 726-1282 or Port Alberni Mental Health and Substance Use at (250) 731-1311.

Island Health’s Access Central service is also available seven days a week at 1-888-885-8824 to connect people with mental health and substance-use care.