Problematic Substance Use/ Substance Use Disorder Support
Sahara Addictions Programs for South Asians
Sahara Addictions Programs are offered by Punjabi Community Health Services (PCHS) and are available to all South Asians aged 16 years or older with substance use problems and their family members/significant others. All the services listed below are provided at no cost.1. Sahara Alcohol Support Program
A holistic, culturally tailored, and strength-based support program that offers assistance to individuals and family members struggling with problematic alcohol use. The program provides ongoing support through education, facilitated group discussions, and interactive activities. The program’s objective is to stabilize and empower clients and their families. Topics covered in the program include:1. Identifying problematic alcohol use 2. Physical dependence 3. Defense mechanisms 4. Progression and recovery 5. Relapse prevention 6. Life after alcohol misuse
Location and Time: Sahara Alcohol Support Program is offered every Saturday from 11am-1pm at Genesis Centre in 1000 Voices, free of cost. Genesis Centre Address: 7555 Falconridge Blvd NE Calgary, AB For more information or to register:Contact PCHS Phone: 587-999-9312 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.pchscalgary.com/our
2. Sahara Opioid Support Program
Seeks to engage, educate, support and empower South Asians dealing with problematic substance use, specifically opioid use. Topics covered in program include:- Identifying problematic opioid use
- Effects of opioid misuse on the brain and body
- Maintenance therapies for opioid addiction, such as methadone maintenance therapy (MMT)
- Legal consequences
- Self-esteem and confidence
- Stages of change
- Relapse prevention
- Life after opioid misuse
7555 Falconridge Blvd NE Calgary, AB
For more information or to register:Contact PCHS Phone: 587-999-9312. Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.pchscalgary.com/our
Sahara Relapse Prevention Group
Location and Time: PCHS Sahara Relapse Prevention Program is offered every Friday from 6pm to 8pm at Genesis Centre in 1000 Voices, free of cost. Genesis Centre Address:7555 Falconridge Blvd NE Calgary, AB
For more information or to register:Contact PCHS Phone: 587-999-9312. Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.pchscalgary.com/our
Northeast Addiction and Mental Health Centre for Holistic Recovery (NAM)
A registered not for profit organization that holistically addresses the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual facets of addiction, mental health, and chronic pain.
What to expect: All services are covered by Alberta Health Care and patients will not be charged for appointments or services. Nam currently does not have the capacity to accept walk-ins so patients must book an appointment to access NAM programs and services. However, NAM does accept urgent appointments.
Languages used to deliver services: English and Punjabi
- Counselling- Focuses on building self-efficacy and allowing patients to understand and manage issues that arise in their day-to-day life. Also emphasizes on connecting with the self and the community and uses evidence-based psychotherapy constructs to facilitate holistic recovery.
- NAM recovery workshops- Dynamic workshops where Dr. Gill combines modern medicine’s understanding of neurobiology, psychotherapy constructs, and yoga and meditation to provide patients with tools to elevate oneself out of distress and progress towards wellness and recovery. Topics for workshops vary and are tailored to the needs of attendees as it pertains to addiction, mental health, and chronic pain.
- NAM recovery group- An innovative group therapy program where patients support each other through their lived experiences to uplift one another and support recovery. The group is facilitated by a qualified professional that assists in managing the group dynamic and ensuring that everyone has productive sessions.
| Day of the Week | Service Type | Time | Location | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mondays | NAM Recovery Workshop | 4:00pm - 5:00pm | NAM Centre | |
| NAM Recovery Men's Group (in English) | 5:30pm - 7:30pm | NAM Centre | Men only, English Language | |
| Tuesdays | NAM Recovery Women's Group (in English) | 5:30pm - 7:30pm | NAM Centre | Women only, English Language |
| Wednesdays | NAM Recovery Workshop | 4:00pm - 5:30pm | NAM Centre | |
| Thursdays | Intro to Meditation Class | 12:15pm - 12:45pm | Peter Lougheed Hospital Sacred Space Chapel | |
| NAM Recovery Men's Group (in Punjabi) | 5:30pm - 7:30pm | NAM Centre | Men only, Punjabi Language | |
| Fridays | NAM Recovery Workshop | 4:00pm - 5:30pm | NAM Centre |
Address for NAM:
Franklin Atrium – South Entrance
Unit 215 N – 3015 5 Avenue NE
Calgary, AB
For more information or to make an appointment:
Phone: 587-387-2935
Email: [email protected]
Online Resources
ASRA
The Punjabi Alcohol Resource helps Punjabi families who struggle with alcohol use and are seeking help for themselves or a loved one. Their vision is to foster a community that is supported and empowered to address problems with drinking on a personal, familial, and societal level. And they strive to achieve this goal through:
- Creating a central space for the Punjabi community to access information on problem drinking in order to create positive changes in the lives of those struggling and those impacted.
- Understanding and providing tools that address the ways in which the Punjabi community is uniquely impacted by problems with drinking
- To break down stigma and bring awareness to problems with alcohol in the Punjabi community through conversation
Information on their website is provided in English and Punjabi
Website: https://asranow.ca/resources/medical-clinics-addictions-support/
Harm Reduction Services
Supervised Consumption Site
Supervised consumption services are part of a range of evidence-based services that support prevention, harm reduction and treatment for Albertans living with substance use challenges. Supervised consumption services provide a place where people can use drugs in a monitored, hygienic environment to reduce harm from substance use while offering additional services such as counselling, social work, and opioid-dependency treatment. Supervised consumption services provide a safe environment for people who use drugs, and reduce:- Overdose deaths
- Transmission of diseases and infections
- Public substance use and discarded needles.
Renfrew Recovery Centre
Renfrew Recovery Centre is a 40 bed residential facility offering medically supported detoxification services to people while they withdraw from the effects of alcohol and other drugs, as well as gambling stabilization. As part of AHS’ network of services throughout the province, Renfrew provides 24-hour care by competent, caring staff. Individuals requesting admission attend the centre between 7:30-8:00 am daily. Most clients refer themselves; however, Renfrew accepts referrals from many sources such as family, friends, hospitals, physicians, AA and a wide range of community and government agencies. Clients usually remain at the centre for five days, but their stay can be shorter or longer depending on the severity of the withdrawal. What to expect:On admission, an assessment of the client’s condition is completed by a nurse and client care assistant. When clients are physically stable, they are provided with information on:
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- Alcohol and other drug abuse/dependency
- Effects of addiction on the body
- Treatment agencies and services • nutrition
- Relapse prevention
- Tobacco cessation
- Other relevant information
Helplines
Addiction Helpline – Health Link Alberta
Alberta Health Services
Phone: 811
Website: www.ahs.ca/amh
Sikh Family Helpline (non-crisis helpline)
Offers services in Punjabi and English Phone: 1-800-551-9128