Trans-Inclusive Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Programs in Canada

As part of Pride Month we are making it easier for LGBT Canadians to find LGBT-friendly drug rehab and alcohol treatment programs in Canada, and an important part of that is identifying trans-inclusive drug and alcohol treatment in Canada. A big barrier to treatment is stigma, or at least perceived stigma, and it is understandable that many trans people may feel apprehensive entering residential treatment that is often segregated by gender. However, the good news is that BC, Manitoba, and Ontario all have explicitly trans-inclusive drug and alcohol treatment centres. Other provinces do have drug rehabs that are trans-friendly but it isn’t necessarily advertised and those seeking treatment need to ask each centre their policy. For an overview of LGBT drug and alcohol treatment options in Canada, see our blog post here.

Trans-Friendly Drug and Alcohol Treatment in BC (Vancouver and Victoria)

British Columbia is home to multiple inpatient treatment centres, both public and privately funded, that explicitly state they welcome trans-individuals. Heartwood Centre for Women includes transgender women and Central City Lodge is a men’s treatment program that includes transgender men. Pacifica Treatment Center and Turning Point Recovery are both co-ed programs that welcome all genders. There are also many outpatient offices that actively welcome LGBT people, like LGBT-2S drop in group and the Vancouver Addictions Matrix Program (VAMP) outpatient program for male-identified clients. Now Canada Society in Kelowna, BC is a great program that offers many services to women in the area, including trans women.

Trans-Specific Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation in Manitoba

Manitoba is one of the most progressive provinces in Canada in regards to healthcare and makes an effort to accommodate all of its citizens. The majority of the public drug and alcohol rehabs in Manitoba have private rooms, and trans clients are given priority for these rooms to give them the comfort and privacy they may miss in the dormitories. Parkwood Treatment Centre in Brandon is a co-ed program that has private rooms for transgender individuals upon request. The Salvation Army program in Winnipeg accepts all genders in their facility. Also in Winnipeg, River Point Centre for men includes transgender men, and River House for women includes transgender women. A special mention for Manitoba is that its publicly funded programs welcome those on Methadone and Suboxone maintenance, a policy that has recently been announced as the best standard of care.

Trans-Inclusive Drug and Alcohol Treatment in Ontario

Toronto is the main hub for LGBT specific treatment in Ontario. CAMH in Toronto has Rainbow Services that provides inpatient and outpatient treatment as well as many other services for LGBTQ people struggling with mental health and/or addiction. The Chinese Family Services of Ontario also offers outpatient mental health, substance use, and problem gambling programs and services for LGBT people. Sherbourne Health Centre also in Toronto offers counseling and support for people who identify as LGBTQ.

For contact links and further information about the resources listed above, go to our LGBT specific page here. If you or someone you know is struggling with drugs or alcohol and is wanting trans-inclusive drug and alcohol treatment in Canada, contact our specialist for assistance.

JMC 2018.05.24

The post Trans-Inclusive Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Programs in Canada appeared first on Canada Drug Rehab.