AHS Addiction Treatment Funding Guide Alberta 2025

✅ Key Fact: Treatment Is Free for Alberta Residents

Alberta Health Services funds a broad spectrum of addiction treatment services available to any Alberta resident with a valid Alberta Health Card. You do not need private insurance. You do not need to be employed. You do not need to be referred by a doctor for most services.

What AHS Covers

AHS-Funded Addiction Services

Alberta Health Services Addiction and Mental Health (AHS AMH) provides services across a full continuum of care:

🏥 Withdrawal Management (Detox)

Medically supervised detox for alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, and other substances. Available in Calgary, Edmonton, and regional centres. Some locations offer walk-in access; others require a referral or intake assessment.

🏡 Residential Treatment

AHS funds residential treatment programmes of varying lengths across the province. These are live-in programmes providing structured daily therapy, counselling, and skills development. Wait times vary and can be several weeks to months in some regions.

📅 Day Treatment / Outpatient

Structured day treatment programmes (sometimes called intensive outpatient) run several days per week while you live at home. Available in most urban centres and some regional areas across Alberta.

💊 Opioid Dependency Programme (ODP)

The ODP provides Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) and other medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Available through AHS directly and through many family physicians across Alberta. Generally very accessible with short wait times.

🧠 Community Counselling

Individual and group counselling services for addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. Available through AHS Addiction and Mental Health community clinics across the province.

How to Access AHS Addiction Services

Call the AHS Addiction Helpline: 1-866-332-2322 (24/7, toll-free). This is your primary access point for most AHS addiction services across Alberta.

Walk In: Many AHS addiction and mental health offices accept walk-in clients for initial assessment. Check your zone's hours before attending.

Through a Doctor: A family doctor or emergency physician can refer you into AHS addiction services, which may speed up access to residential programmes.

Contact Us: We can help you understand which AHS service is the best entry point for your situation and help you navigate the intake process.

AHS vs. Private Treatment — What's the Difference?

Feature	AHS-Funded	Private
Cost	Free (covered by AHS)	$5,000–$20,000+/month
Wait Time	Days to months (varies)	Often same week or faster
Individualization	Standardized programmes	Highly individualized
Amenities	Functional / basic	Varies widely; some luxury
Clinical Quality	Evidence-based, accredited	Varies — research carefully
Privacy	Standard	Often greater privacy

Many Albertans use a combination: AHS detox first (free, immediate), followed by private residential treatment (faster admission, more personalized). We can help you plan the best pathway for your situation.