Nirvana Drug and Alcohol Treatment Institute

Nirvana's Drug and Alcohol Institute was created in 1997, to treat and educate those suffering from debilitating addictions. Nirvana has a structured system of care that includes; assesments, residential services, outpatient services, sober living services, dual diagnosis support, referrals, re-entry to the community, aftercare and alumni services.Nirvana is aware that the primary predictor of sustained recovery is time, time spent in recovery services, and it is the additional care that is the key to participants completing thier recovery programs and remaining free from addictions.The cycles of addiction, assume a number of impaired systems that combine to create addictive and compulsive behaviours. Our thereapeutic model includes: Cognitive Self Change, Social Skills, Problem Solving, and the 12 Step Addiction Model. All programs incorporate evidence based classes. These recovery elements interrupt the cycles of addiction and encourage personal responsibilty which helps to increase the coping skills of each participant. Because Nirvana understands that men and women benefit from different therapeutic approaches Nirvana offers evidence-based, gender specific treatment programs for both men and women. Both programs use curriculum that simultaneously addresses addiction, trauma and gender issues, therefore the client receives treatment that is holistic in nature. Research has shown that gender specific treatment is especially beneficial for women. Unfortunately there remains a stigma against chemically dependent women which results in higher levels of shame than in men. Further, women are more likely to share about their violence and trauma issues when in groups that are single gendered. Women are also shown to be more supportive of each other as compared to when in a coed group.