Alpha House

The Basics

Located in Toronto, Canada, Alpha House is a non-profit corporation that offers residential treatment for men, and those identifying as male, who are 18 and older. Founded in 1972, this addiction recovery community offers treatment based on the 12 steps. The facility is across the Don Valley from downtown Toronto, so there’s extremely convenient access to public transportation, medical facilities and various 12-step meetings, as well as many shopping and recreational attractions.

Accommodations and Food

Alpha House is a large house that accommodates a maximum of 18 in-house residents and supports an additional 49 non-residents, as well as keeping the door open and always welcoming Alpha House Alumni into the facility. Treatment and housing all take place at the Alpha House facility, where space for meetings and other services available on-site. The bedrooms include two twin beds and there are six bathrooms in the facility. There is also a living room, dining room, kitchen, TV room with a computer for job searching, meeting room and backyard available to residents.

Meals vary greatly, but all lunches and dinners are home-cooked and served in a sit-down setting, unless the client is off-site working. In that case, they are encouraged to pack their own lunch. Clients take turns preparing dinner each night and consist of hearty meals like pizza, burgers and roasts with a healthy salad offered at every meal. The kitchen is also stocked with fruits and vegetables delivered regularly, as well as a variety of basic pantry items.

Treatment and Staff

Alpha House is a 90 day program and, as a second stage treatment facility, they do not offer a detox component to their program. Residents must have 30 days sobriety upon entering Alpha House and usually come from an inpatient facility. Alpha House is a hybrid residential and outpatient facility, where there are on-site 12-step meetings and groups during business hours, but some residents work full time or go to school during the day. If residents are not going to school or work, they have the option of attending daytime groups and must complete 12 hours a week of vocational skills training off-site.

In group and weekly individual therapy, the Alpha House relies heavily on the 12-Step model for relapse prevention. The nature of the program is to build life skills and learn how to live in recovery in the face of ups and downs, so their comprehensive care goes beyond 12-steps. They offer services regarding continuing education or job searching. There are also groups focusing on life skills, coping techniques and, three times a week, a nighttime recovery meeting open to current residents, alumni of the program and people that are currently waiting on admission to the Alpha House program.

Alpha House staff is headed by psychiatrist and addictionologist. Dr. Jake Bobrowski, MD, with a team of licensed psychotherapists, LCSWs, addiction specialists and relapse prevention counselors. They offer dual diagnosis support as well as one-on-one counseling to patients on an as needed basis. The house manager is a registered psychotherapist whose door is always open and the medical director, Dr. Bobrowski runs two group sessions every week.

Extras

As a second stage treatment facility, residents are allowed to go out into the community for work or engage in recreational activities, as well as having overnight passes after completing one month. Alpha House strongly supports alumni of their program and offers aftercare, as well as welcoming past residents who find themselves in crisis in regular group sessions.

To foster life beyond the program, Alpha House has built partnerships with an extensive network of halfway houses, transitional or supportive housing agencies and can offer referrals to medical and psychiatric professionals for clients that need additional support.

In Summary

While Alpha House is considered a second stage treatment facility, they primary goal is to keep their residents free from substance abuse, as well as support them in recovery by helping build valuable life skills. The great benefit of Alpha House is the combination of freedom for residents to be able to work and go into the community, while still having access to the many resources for support. An additional highlight is that once a part of the program, clients are considered a part of the Alpha House family for life.

Alpha House
647 Broadview Ave
Toronto, ON M4K2N9

Alpha House Cost: Free (30 days). Reach Alpha House by phone at (416) 469-1700 or by email at info@alphahousetoronto.ca. Find Alpha House on Facebook

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