Recovery Ranch

The clinical professionals at Recovery Ranch have designed a program that is effective and appropriate to treat a variety of addictions. Although we focus primarily on chemical addictions (i.e., alcohol and drugs), our program also addresses behavioural addictions such as gambling, sex and romance addiction and other dependencies. Our program also recognizes that there are often concurrent mental health disorders that accompany addictions, such as depression, trauma, anxiety, and ADHD. On admission a full evaluation utilizing a biopsychosocial interview is conducted, and as indicated follow-up screening or assessment tools (e.g., the Addiction Severity Index, Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory) are used.

Treatment at Recovery Ranch is provided by fully trained professionals who work as a multidisciplinary team. We work on a case managed basis, where a professional counsellor is assigned to each client and an individualized program is designed.

 Our counsellors provide individual and group counselling, as well as group psychoeducational counselling. Each client also works closely with an Aftercare counsellor throughout their stay in treatment, and develops an individualized and comprehensive plan for supporting their recovery once they return to their home community.

Clients are given informative seminars, education on the nature of addiction, homework on insight into their addiction and how it impacts their lives, as well as self-care techniques. We emphasize relapse prevention and recovery strategies, the development of healthy lifestyles, and encourage a balanced return to recovery, emphasizing the importance of social support, work and/or volunteer activities, physical activity and stress management, healthy eating, meditation and mindfulness practice, enjoyment of nature, and the nurturing of client spirituality. 

The intensive and comprehensive nature of the services that we offer clients makes Recovery Ranch one of the most thorough recovery centres in the world.

We offer a variety of evidence-based treatments and addiction counselling techniques, including:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to assist in developing helpful thought patterns and healthy behaviours in recovery.
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) for developing the skills needed to manage emotions and relationships, practice mindfulness, and survive crises.
• An abstinence-based approach, combined with medication assistance therapy if needed
• Individual psychotherapy 
• Group therapy
• Psychoeducational group sessions
• Mindfulness and physical exercise
• Relapse prevention groups

The Family Education Workshop runs the Tuesday and Wednesday of two consecutive weeks each month. This workshop is specifically designed with you in mind and is a safe space for you to learn more effective strategies for understanding, managing, and coping with chronic illnesses, which mental health and substance use disorders are. Loved ones in treatment will not be attending this workshop and sessions will be focused on general information that family members can implement, where appropriate and relevant. Clinicians will not be discussing specific and individual items that pertain to loved ones in treatment during this forum. However, there will be a time provided for questions at the end of each session.

We have four beautiful seasons of weather here in the East Kootenay Valley. In fact, Cranbrook British Columbia, which is a 20-minute drive from the Ranch, claims the most hours of sunshine in Canada. We are in a relatively dry region and only 3000′ above sea level so we do not typically get the cold associated with living high in the mountains. The summers are sunny, warm, dry and beautiful. The autumn is usually gorgeous with temperatures very moderate and comfortable. The birds begin their migration (although some stay these days) and the sunlight is very calming. Winters are cool, calming and peaceful. Due to our dry weather and very little wind, clients are often surprised by how nice it feels here in the winter. In winter the fireplace in our great room becomes a central focal point, as well as a great place to relax and read some inspiring literature. Spring is a favorite with flowers blooming and the return of the migratory birds. Every season offers something unique. The ranch overlooks Kimberley Alpine Resort. A claim many make is that you can mountain bike and snow ski on the same day. We hike and do outside activities year-round. There is no unpleasant time to be at Recovery Ranch Treatment Centre.

Recovery Ranch does not require a referral. Potential participants are required to complete a comprehensive admissions application form. It is important that there is a good “fit” between a client and their treatment needs and our program. Because of this we often spend time following up the information that is captured on the Admission Information Record with phone calls from the Intake Coordinator, Ranch Nurse or Clinical Director, to gather additional information, clarify client needs, or answer questions about our program. In addition, clients who have complex medical conditions, or who are currently in treatment for substance abuse or mental health conditions may be required to provide additional information prior to an admission decision.

Note that while a referral is not necessary for admission to our program, for your own benefit we highly recommend that incoming clients obtain a referral letter from a medical practitioner indicating a diagnosis of addiction, and a recommendation of detoxification and/or residential treatment. Our past clients have found this useful when it comes time to file their tax returns. Upon discharge from our program, Top of the World Ranch will supply our clients with receipts, and a letter which confirms dates of attendance, the cost of treatment, and the name of both client and payor.

The facility is relatively secure in that it is protected from urban activity by distance and remoteness. It is not a locked facility. Clients are discouraged from leaving the facility during the first two weeks of treatment unless authorized by their counsellor and/or accompanied by Ranch personnel. This measure is to ensure each participant’s safety and to enhance the potential for successful accomplishment of their recovery goals. All Ranch personnel are committed to the rigorous confidentiality policy of the facility. Your identity may be exposed to other clients who are bound by written contract to respect your privacy, as you are bound to respect theirs. In short, every measure is taken to ensure the highest possible level of discretion and respect for client privacy. Unauthorized visitors are not admitted. Authorized visitors must sign confidentiality agreements.

All extra or adjunctive services that take place on the ranch – including massage, reiki, store purchases etc. – will be charged against the $750 pre-payment, and any charges beyond that amount will be charged to the credit card that we have on file. Items such as off-Ranch store purchases, or off-Ranch services that you may use, will require that you have the appropriate funds available. If you require a cash advance from the Ranch using your credit card on file, you will be charged a 3% surcharge to cover our transaction fees. It is best to bring with you any spending money you feel you will require while here. We do provide secure storage. All personal belongings that require safe keeping (wallet, purse, keys, etc.) will be locked away in your storage box here at the Ranch.

Recovery Ranch’s accommodations are two-bedroom cabins & two-bedroom suites in the main lodge. You will have a suite-mate, but your sleeping chamber is an individual room. You will share a bathroom with your suite-mate. Your suite mate may change over the course of your treatment, but we make every effort to discourage soloing in a suite. Addiction often results in dysfunctional social isolation. The suite-mate system aims to provide appropriate access to others in recovery for support and stabilization. For obvious reasons, supportive recovery staff will make regular and random wellness checks on clients while you are in your suite.

Recovery Ranch has provisions for testing both blood and urine. During the admission process you will be required to consent to random testing for drug and alcohol use. The use of drugs and alcohol is prohibited during the treatment program. Use of drugs or alcohol during treatment will result in immediate dismissal from the program. This dismissal is not a “punishment” for using. It is a logical consequence for violating your contract.

All prescriptions must be pre-approved by a Recovery Ranch Nurse in consultation with a physician; this may also involve your primary care physician. Your medications will be in your personal safe that is accessible only under supervision of the clinical staff. No prescription or over-the-counter medications, or herbal remedies or supplements are permitted to be in your direct possession while in treatment. Recovery Ranch personnel will not dispense medication. They supervise your access to your meds as per your physician’s directions.

Each day you will have the opportunity to have “private time” for reflection, meditation, prayer, creative activities, exercise or simply rest. Your focus while here is on yourself and your program. For the safety of all clients, please cooperate with program staff at all times. The structure of the program is purposefully intense and closely supervised. Within the routine there are plenty of opportunities for socializing or leisure activities.

The program is mixed-gender and most activities are co-ed. Some group counselling sessions are exclusively for male or female clients respectively. All personnel are sensitive and responsive to any discomfort the mixed gender environment may invoke. Recovery Ranch creates as “normal” a social context as possible to strategically guide you to appropriately respond to “regular” everyday stresses that you will encounter after treatment. Recovery Ranch also emphasizes the importance of safe and respectful personal boundaries, along with healthy relationships both inside and outside of treatment.

If you are not committed to participation in treatment, do not feel you need or want treatment, are not ready to do the difficult work of recovery, or would be attending treatment to appease or please others, or if you do not wish to fully participate in our program and to trust that we have your best interests in mind, then we are likely not the best place for you. Our staff is not equipped in aversion therapy and we are not a confrontational or “in your face” treatment centre. Our program is built upon mutual respect, trust in the recovery process, guidance, instruction, compassion, and evidence based therapies and counseling. More aggressive methods do exist and if this is what you require, then other centres may be better equipped to meet your needs.

Medicard looks at the following: a) Credit history, b) Ability to pay, c) Employment.

Of course. Simply have your co-signor complete the applicable portion of your application form and fax it to Medicard.

No problem, simply inform EHN Canada as to your preferred method of payment.

Yes, you can repay the loan at any time WITHOUT PENALTY.