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Abbotsford Addiction Centre

Who We Are
Therapists with Masters Degrees at a free Alcohol and Drug Outpatient Program, with a Multicultural and Seniors Addictions component.

What Do We Deal With?
Alcohol and drug concerns.
[About us]

Who Do We Serve?
Youth and adults both using and those affected by substance misuse.

What Do We Do?
Individual, couple, family counselling and groups.
Referrals to other services.
Prevention activities in the community.

How Do I Get Service?
Attend an Orientation session
[How to Access]

What Groups Do We Offer?
Recovery Groups for men and women
Teen Group
Substance Affected Group
[Groups]

Is There A Waitlist For Service?
Yes, there is a waitlist for individual counselling - however new clients can usually join a group right away!
[Waitlist]

How Do You Reach Us?
Call 604-850-5106. Our office is open 8:30 - 4:30 Monday-Friday for information.

Other Web Based Info on Addiction
[Other Web]

About Us

  • We are an outpatient community-based alcohol and drug counselling program founded in 1988
  • We work with individuals, couples and families providing one to one counselling, couple and family counselling, and groups
  • We serve youth and adults regarding their own substance misuse or the effect that someone else's substance misuse has on others
  • We are funded by the Fraser Health Authority, so there is no charge for any of our services
  • We use a bio-pschyo-social-spiritual professional approach to help people resolve their problems
  • We provide referrals to other services in the addiction field, such as day treatment and residential
  • We are an information resource for the community on addiction with many pamphlets, videos, and we do public presentations if requested
  • We do prevention work in the schools and community, and sponsor several community committees dealing with prevention
  • The staff are all Masters level therapists or Masters level interns who continuously upgrade their knowledge and skills in order to provide effective services. We have male and female therapists, as well as a multi-cultural therapist who can speak Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi.

How to access our service
Everyone wanting service from Abbotsford Addictions Centre for counselling or referrals must attend one of our Orientation sessions to begin the process. Orientation is usually held Thursday, at 4:30 p.m. - but because space is limited, those attending should arrive by 4:00 p.m. or earlier to complete required paper work.

No one is allowed in late. Sometimes more people come than we can serve in one day, and some will be asked to come to the next Orientation. Please phone 604-850-5106 to confirm the date of our next Orientation.

At our Orientation a staff person will spend 15 to 20 minutes presenting information that is important for people to consider in deciding what service is needed such as: what is expected of them and confidentiality. After the presentation each person attending meets privately with one of our counsellors for 15 to 20 minutes to discuss what help is needed and recommended and how we can assist you. Those wanting service are asked to call us back within the week to finalize what services are requested.

Groups at Abbotsford Addictions Centre
We provide several group options for clients. Our groups are psycho-educational, support groups focused on issues determined by our clients. All groups are facilitated by a trained therapist. All clients must meet with the group facilitator for a pre-group assessment before coming to any group.

  • Recovery Groups
    Tuesday, 6:00 to 7:30 PM
    Provides a safe environment for men and women to deal with recovery issues such as relapse prevention, harm reduction, health, assertiveness, anger, problem gambling and relationships.
  • Youth Group
    Phone for details.
  • Substance Affected Group
    Thursday, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
    Provides support and information for people who are affected by the substance misuse.

Waitlist
Due to the high demand for our service there is a waitlist for one-to-one counselling based on severity of problems and date of attending Orientation. Those on the waitlist are expected to contact us once a month to show their continued interest, or advise if other services become necessary. While on the waitlist individuals are also encouraged to attend one of our groups for ongoing support. When there is an opening for one-to-one counselling individuals on the wait list are called, and if after two attempts to contact we are unable to reach prospective clients or they do not return calls, they will be removed from the waitlist.

If you require a referral to other types of treatment, you will not be put on the waitlist. We will complete the referral paperwork with you at our first available time, usually within one week.

Other Web Based Information on Addiction (not direct links)

Addiction Research Foundation
Adult Children of Alcoholics
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
Cocaine Anonymous (CA) 
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Alateen/Alanon (Support for family members)
Kaiser Directory of Addiction Services in B.C.
Angels community Network