The Impact of Oxford House's Pre-Treatment Program

Oxford House’s Pre-Treatment Program offers a lifeline and fills a critical gap in services, addressing the needs of Calgary’s most vulnerable individuals.

By Victoria Mitchell, Pre-Treatment Supervisor/Addictions Counsellor

In the midst of uncertainty and despair, the words uttered by those who step through the doors of Oxford House's Pre-Treatment Program resonate deeply:

"The stars seemed to align perfectly."

"My support worker was really good."

"I was lucky."

Unfortunately, this isn’t the reality for many Calgarians. The relentless cycle of shame, substance use, and seeking help, hinders their path to recovery. When someone who grapples with addiction and confronts the daunting prospect of returning to their earlier circumstances, begs for support yet is informed that they must endure a waitlist of one week to six months for treatment, overwhelming despair can set in. Oxford House’s Pre-Treatment Program offers a lifeline and fills this critical gap in services, addressing the needs of Calgary’s most vulnerable individuals.

Pre-Treatment is more than just a bed; it’s about affording individuals the opportunity to learn essential life skills, embrace vulnerability, and rediscover a sober version of themselves. It’s so fulfilling to be part of a movement where each person applying for our program has a chance to make a real difference in their life.

Oxford House is exactly where I wanted to be, at the forefront of a program with the potential to effect real change. I’m here because it’s where I belong, where my skills are put to the best possible use in building something that I believe Calgary – and the entire country – desperately needs. Within a few months of joining the Oxford House team, I felt that our mission and philosophy harmonize seamlessly with my personal ethics and values. It is easy to be here and a part of something greater than myself.

One of the individuals we have had the privilege of supporting is Jackie, a young Indigenous mother who wants to be healthy so she can be the best possible parent to her children. She was determined, clear about what she wanted and setting her own timeline for achieving her goals. We supported her in slowing down, learning new coping strategies, and ensuring that she felt ready for treatment. Following treatment, Jackie moved into our Transitional Recovering Housing, a critical step toward stabilizing her life as she prepares to secure her own housing for herself and her children.

The ongoing crisis, combined with the immense strain on our mental health and addictions sector, has created a situation where Calgarians seeking support are often unable to access the help they need due to overwhelming demand. Our Pre-Treatment Program was intentionally developed to bridge this gap.

In 2018, Oxford House introduced the Pre-Treatment Program as a solution to bridge the service gap that exists between detox and treatment. Fast forward to January 2023, Oxford House proactively pursued and successfully secured licenses for four Pre-Treatment homes in Calgary, all of which are now funded by AHS. At the writing of this post, 20 men and women are on the waitlist to get into Pre-Treatment housing.