1-866-524-5633

Admissions

Proven Addiction Recovery Since 1981

Youth Girls and Adult Women
Westminster House offers addiction recovery services for youth girls and adult women.
Contact Us Fee for Service - Self Referral Form Government Funded Referral Package - Within FHA Region
Government Funded Referral Package - Outside FHA Region

Need financial help accessing addiction treatment and recovery? 

WHS has partnered with multiple foundations to provide treatment bursaries to individuals and families needing financial support.  To qualify, please complete the following application for for financial support and treatment subsidy.  Please note that only fully completed applications will be considered. 

Application for Financial Support and Treatment Subsidy
INTAKE CONTACT INFORMATION

Intake Office: 228 Seventh Street, New Westminster, BC
Toll-Free 1-866‐524‐5633

Direct: 604-545-1258

Fax: 604-524-4634
Email: [email protected]

Intake

YOUTH * ADULTS * FAMILIES

Our programs provide a unique environment of learning, nurturing, and healing within a connected peer-to-peer community. If you’re struggling with addiction, we can help you get your life back.

Call our toll free confidential helpline 1-866-524-5633 We encourage (when possible) that the clients have their name on the waitlist before we can accept a completed referral package from an agent. We know this is not always possible and will do our best to accommodate extenuating circumstances.

We prefer that clients are abstinent prior to in-take, however, we go on a case by case basis.

Westminster House is a place to recover and therefore free from distractions such as cell phones and computers so if possible leave these devices at home as there is limited storage. Further, we can only store up to a maximum of 1 suitcase.

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Need help with a loved one?

Please Contact one of our Certified Interventionists.

Intake Steps

Contact Us so that we can conduct an intake interview and health assessment.

After being placed on the waitlist please:

FHA Community Substance Use Services Clinics will be happy to support your application to treatment. Please contact your local Fraser Health Community Service:

Fraser Health Help

Intake Criteria

Westminster House welcomes women who satisfy the following requirements:

    • girl or adult who identifies as a female
    • You currently have a negative relationship with drugs and/or alcohol
    • Chemical addiction including alcohol misuse is your primary diagnosis
    • You have funding in place
    • You are prepared to become a non-smoker/vaper for the duration of your stay
      Agree to adhere to Westminster House

Primary Care Guidelines

If you are satisfied with the above-noted requirements, please call Westminster House offices and request to be added to our waitlist. If there are special circumstances surrounding one of our criteria, please call and discuss it with our trained intake counselors. We are willing to work with you to help you succeed in your desire for recovery.

If you or a loved one requires assistance, please contact one of our intake staff.

Toll-Free: 1-866-524-5633 or Local: 604-524-5633

Our highly qualified staff are available anytime, 24 hours / 7 days a week. All information is kept confidential.

Referring Agents

Please download and print the referral forms:

Fee for Service Referral Package * FHA Referral Package – Within FHA Region

FHA Referral Package – Outside FHA Region

Email to: [email protected]

Fax: 604-524-4634

Referrals are accepted from the following sources:

  • Community health centres and counsellors
  • Medical detoxification centres and physicians
  • Residential treatment facilities
  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
  • School Counsellors, Academic Advisors
  • Physicians, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, etc.

Service Providers

Do you have experience in working with women in addiction recovery? If you offer services that help women in their journey to self-discovery and recovery through one-to-one and group services, get in touch with us. We are always looking to partner with local service providers to help us help women recover.

Philosophy

Westminster House provides addiction recovery services for Youth and Adult women that include medical detox, socialization, primary treatment, transition, and family programs. Westminster House is a longer-term residential program and to complete the full continuum of care, the average stay could be as short as 90 days and as long as 6 months. Many residents also access Westminster House long term substance-free sober living program which can be up to one 1 year.

Prospective clients may struggle with the idea of taking 90 days out of their life to participate in addiction treatment, though our treatment is recommended minimum of 90 days, participants can be introduced to recovery on a short term basis that sometimes helps them make better decisions about their future treatment plans.

Call our intake line at 604-524-5633 to start the telephone screening process, and our professional intake coordinator will help determine treatment readiness and suitability. Interventions are available for pre-contemplative clients.

FAQs

If you have further queries, please contact us and we would be happy to answer any questions you have.

What time is intake?

Intake time is between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. If you are on any medications, please arrive with new written prescriptions so these can be bubble packed by our pharmacy. The use of unauthorized medication is prohibited. Discharges from the centre are between 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday only.

What time is intake?

Intake time is between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. If you are on any medications, please arrive with new written prescriptions so these can be bubble packed by our pharmacy. The use of unauthorized medication is prohibited. Discharges from the centre are between 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday only.

What should I bring with me?

Clothing to bring:

Pack a supply (one suitcase or bag) of comfortable, casual, weather appropriate clothing (changing seasons), including a jacket or sweater for outdoors, socks and underwear, swim suit, workout attire, and gym shoes. Please note that laundry facilities are provided.

Personal effects to bring:

  • Soap
  • Shampoo
  • Toothpaste, toothbrush, & other personal toiletries
  • All prescribed medication
  • Personal Health Care Number

What can't I bring with me?

Clothing not to bring: 

Revealing, tattered and/or torn clothing.  Clothing that depicts drugs, alcohol, sex, violence or gambling and clothing with offensive slogans.

Not permitted at the centre:

  • Computers, laptop, smart phones/assistants
    (After step nine, clients are permitted use of the Internet at the library only).
  • Cell phones – Client can access their cell phone once they have completed primary care
  • Personal stereo’s
  • Cigarettes/Tobacco
  • Lottery Tickets
  • Recreational reading materials
  • Products containing alcohol (i.e., mouthwash, aftershave, perfume, perfumed lotions, hand sanitizer etc.)
  • Laxatives
  • Mood altering drugs, nonprescription medications
  • Sharps of any kind (scissors, penknives, straight razors, etc.)

Clients must take all of their belongings upon discharge.

The program Director or staff may ask to check purses, packages, pockets and rooms at any time during the program.

What do I do with my medications?

It is important that clients advise the admissions staff of all medications they are taking. Include the name of the medication, the dosage and frequency administered, as well as the name of the prescribing physician. Bring all prescribed medications in their original containers. During admission you will be asked to turn in all medications (prescription and non-prescription) in your possession. Replacement medications will be blister packed and kept locked in the office as per our licensing requirements. Westminster House deals with People’s Pharmacy only. The use of unauthorized medication is prohibited.

Can I receive visitors, phone calls or letters?

For the first 14 days of treatment, clients will be on retreat in order to stabilize within the program and connect with peers; no visitors, letter writing, or phone calls will be permitted. Clients will be on the buddy system. Clients who have children less than 18 years of age will be supported to have one 15-minute phone call per week. Other exceptions include: Alcohol & Drug Counselor, Mental Health Worker and calls related to funding. Following the first 14 days of treatment, daily visiting hours are between 1:30pm – 3:30pm. Please inform your peers in group who will be visiting.

Can I smoke?

Westminster House is a tobacco free zone; clients are required to abstain from using tobacco products while in residence.

Addiction Self Test

Have you felt annoyed by others criticizing your drinking or drug use?

Have you felt bad or guilty about your drinking or drug use?

Have you had a drink or used drugs first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a headache?

Have you ever felt that you should cut down on your drinking or drug use?

Have you ever used drinking or drugs to ‘escape’ or numb your feelings?

Have you ever felt a loss of control over your drinking or drug use, which led to consuming more or for longer than you intended?

Have you had difficulty abstaining from drinking or using drugs for extended periods of time?

Have you made promises to yourself or loved ones about quitting drinking or using drugs and then broken that promise?

Have you ever sought treatment in the past for drinking or drug use?

Do we have permission to contact you?

Preferred method of communication:

Program Length

90 Day Primary Care
Westminster House drug and alcohol treatment programs start with primary care. We provide programs for Youth and Adults. During a client’s stay they are supported to explore the core issues that led to their addiction. This includes group therapy, one to one counselling, addiction educational series, introspective writing (12 Steps), and health and wellness. The clients live in a peer to peer environment and participate in peer support at all times to ensure complete safety and accountability to the program.
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10-day Intro to Recovery
Westminster House offers a 90, 65-day condensed program or 10-day Intro to Recovery Program.
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Support Recovery
The Second Stage program supports the integration of clients back into society and the workplace. The program consists of group therapy, one to one counselling, work support programs, and family counselling. With the support of their counsellor, the clients develop goals to prepare them for the next stage of their recovery. Clients are supported to attend outside programs without the supervision of their peers. This model of programming allows the client to gain independence, and build self-esteem helping to ensure a smooth process of reintegration into society.
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On-going Recovery
The On-Going Recovery Program is an open ended extension of the Westminster House residential Primary Care Program and it is necessary to provide a full continuum of care to clients seeking an exit to the cycle of addiction. The On-Going Recovery Program is focused on improving long term sustainable recovery. This will improve social outcomes for women, who have been chronic substance abusers, having a positive impact on their families and their communities, reaching the criminal justice system, health care system and social services.
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Alumni
After completion of their program at Westminster House, clients are encouraged to become alumni. They can then volunteer, join event committee’s and share their experience with new women who are entering the recovery program and “give back”. The centre is a permanent sanctuary where alumni are welcome any time.
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Are You a Service Provider?

Do you have experience in working with women in addiction recovery? If you offer services that help women in their journey to self-discovery and recovery through one-to-one and group services, get in touch with us. We are always looking to partner with local service providers to help us help women recover.
Contact Our Team