EHN Guardians Addiction Program
Addiction Recovery Focused on Trauma-related Resilience Support for Military, Veterans, and First Responders
The EHN Guardians Addiction Program is a specialized inpatient addiction treatment program created specifically for first responders, military personnel, and veterans. Similar to EHN Canada’s Addiction and Mental Health Program, this specialized program has been clinically enhanced to reflect the psychological realities of individuals whose careers involve repeated exposure to potentially traumatizing events —even if no trauma diagnosis is present at the time of admission. It also allows Guardians to live and have treatment in specialized, dedicated groups.
Inclusion Criteria:
- First responders, military, and veterans with substance or process addiction, with no clear identification of the presence of trauma-related symptoms.
Treatment Program Info
- Exclusively for military members and first responders struggling with addiction
- Evidence-based treatment in an exclusive EHN Guardians facility including individual and group therapies.
- Access to medical professionals including doctors and nurses
- Location: Fort Steele, BC
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Category: Inpatient
- Length: 57 days
How the EHN Guardians Addiction Program Differs
The EHN Guardians Addiction Program is designed for individuals who arrive with a primary diagnosis of addiction and no current clinical trauma diagnosis or apparent trauma-related symptoms. However, the program recognizes that trauma exposure is common in the professions it serves. Emotional suppression, workplace culture and requirements, and substance use often mask trauma-related symptoms. It is not uncommon however that trauma symptoms emerge once substance use abstinence has been achieved.
The EHN Guardians Addiction Program is grounded in evidence that trauma and substance use are often linked — even if trauma is not diagnosed. Once abstinent, clients may begin to experience unresolved emotional responses, including hypervigilance, mood instability, and repressed memories.
By introducing trauma-resilience strategies proactively, this program:
- Strengthens clients’ ability to cope with occupational stress post-treatment
- Reduces the risk of relapse triggered by unprocessed trauma
- Prevents the progression of latent trauma symptoms into full PTSD
- Supports reintegration into work, family, and community life with greater emotional tools
Key Features of the EHN Guardians Addiction Program
The EHN Guardians Addiction Program builds a strong foundation for lasting recovery by integrating evidence-based addiction treatment with trauma-resilience practices. Programming is designed specifically for military members, veterans, and first responders, offering structure, safety, and therapeutic depth. The program includes, but is not limited to:
- Treatment Modalities: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, peer support groups, and Seeking Safety groups. Not all treatments will be used on all individuals and the approach will depend on individualized treatment plans
- Seeking Safety Group Therapy: A present-focused, evidence-based group that teaches practical skills for managing both substance use and the emotional effects of trauma. This approach fosters resilience without requiring clients to recount traumatic events.
- Psychoeducation and Skills Groups: Daily groups focused on emotional regulation, self-awareness, distress tolerance, relationship dynamics, and relapse prevention.
- Trauma Monitoring and Optional Treatment: While the program is specifically designed to address addiction, clinicians monitor closely for trauma symptoms that may emerge as a result of abstinence. When clinically indicated, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) or ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy) may be introduced on a case-by-case basis.
- Somatic and Experiential Therapies: Including nature-based programming, movement groups, yoga, equine-supported facilitation, and expressive therapies such as art and music to support self-regulation and emotional release through non-verbal channels.
- Discharge and Transition Planning: From the outset, clients work with their care team to build a practical, person-centered aftercare plan. This supports long-term stability, workplace reintegration, and sustained recovery.
About the Clinical and Support Team
All addiction counsellors are master’s level practitioners who value professionalism, integrity, and the well-being of the clients that arrive for treatment. The counsellors have their own daily routine which includes meditation, mindfulness, and a profound sense of self-awareness. Our aim is to help our clients recover from the ongoing effects of their traumatic experiences, and help them to rediscover their sense of self, free from the bond of addiction. Our team also includes doctors and nurses.
A Typical Day in the EHN Guardians Addiction Program
At EHN Guardians Rockies, each client’s recovery experience is shaped by their individual needs, with structured support to help them heal and move forward. While no two days are exactly the same, here’s what a typical day looks like in our addiction program for Military, Veterans, and First Responders.
Morning
You’ll begin your day with meditation and a reflective check-in to ground yourself. After a healthy breakfast, you'll take part in Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention, a core therapeutic session designed to build awareness and resilience.
Midday
Enjoy a nutritious lunch before diving into an engaging PsychoEd session on Emotional Agility, where you’ll develop tools to better understand and navigate emotional responses.
Evening
In the evening, you’ll have the opportunity to connect movement and mindfulness with a Yoga or Walk session. Before dinner, you’ll also have time for Personal Time, ideal for journaling, creative work, or processing the day’s insights.Some groups are integrated with the wider recovery community, while others remain Guardian-only to preserve psychological safety and shared cultural understanding.
About the Facility
The EHN Guardians Addiction Program is offered exclusively at EHN Guardians Rockies, a private, five-bedroom log house set in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Surrounded by mountains, lakes, and forested trails, the environment is intentionally chosen to promote calm, focus, and healing. This serene setting provides the physical and emotional space needed for recovery, far removed from the daily stressors and stimuli of the outside world. Clients benefit from access to hiking, fishing, and recreational therapy that supports grounding and connection to nature.
The facility is reserved exclusively for military members, veterans, and first responders, creating a close-knit, understanding community. Private rooms with double beds ensure personal comfort, while spacious common areas—like a dedicated lounge just for Guardians clients—foster opportunities for informal support and connection. Meals are prepared onsite with attention to nutrition and quality, and clients can participate in therapeutic outdoor and wellness activities including yoga, meditation, and equine-assisted facilitation.
Treatment sessions take place in the nearby EHN Edgewood Rockies administrative building, allowing access to clinical resources while preserving the safety and separation of the dedicated Guardians residence. The program is supported by a compassionate, trauma-informed team available 24/7, ensuring that clients receive timely care in a setting that understands and respects the unique experiences of uniformed professionals. This facility is more than a residence—it’s a restorative, intentionally designed environment that honors both the service and recovery journey of each client.
