Friends and relatives often have questions about how best to support clients during and after treatment. Clients sign a treatment agreement committing to certain guidelines and restrictions intended to maximize the benefits of their treatment experience. We ask that friends and family support clients by becoming familiar with and supporting the clients’ commitment.
Substance-Free Environment
One of the most helpful things family & friends can do is support clients in keeping their living space free of all mood-altering substances, and avoiding any use of substances in their presence.
Retreat
From admission until 6:15 p.m. Friday of the third week in treatment clients are in retreat. During this time contact with people, places or things that could distract from the work of recovery is minimized. This allows clients time to reflect and focus inward in preparation for change. We ask friends and relatives to respect the need for seclusion by not attempting contact except in cases of emergency.
Telephone Calls/Messages/Letters
Aurora does not accept phone messages, email or faxes for clients except in cases of emergency.
- Letter writing to/from family and friends is encouraged
- Clients are not allowed to place phone calls until Monday of their third week (after 14 days). After that time clients can use the phone from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and all day until 10 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
- To send mail, use the name of the client and the following address: Aurora Centre, 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6H 3N1
Visits to Aurora
- Visitors are allowed from the third weekend on.
- Visiting hours are Saturday, Sunday & holidays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Visits must be arranged in advance.
- Visitors must sign in when they arrive at the Centre and sign out when they leave.
- Visitors must not be under the influence of alcohol or other illicit drugs, and are not allowed to smoke in the facility or on the surrounding hospital grounds.
Visits Home
- In consultation with counselling staff clients will determine at what point after the third week they feel comfortable going into the community on their own. Clients may be given an 8, 24 hour or 48 hour pass.
- Clients will have made weekend plans that include attendance at self-help groups. We appreciate friends and relatives supporting clients in getting to these important meetings.
- During treatment clients are not to go to a bar, pub, or any establishment whose main purpose is the sale of alcoholic beverages.
Graduation
Clients celebrate completion of the program on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning with other clients from their therapy groups. They are free to leave on Thursday at 11 a.m.
Tobacco-free Centre
The Aurora Centre facility and surrounding hospital grounds are tobacco-free for clients, employees and visitors. This means no use of tobacco products is permitted on the property, and no visible display of tobacco products, including paraphernalia. Clients are not allowed to use tobacco products for the duration of treatment and residential stay. Nicotine replacement therapy, such as the patch or gum, is provided free of charge.
Post-Treatment Suggestions
As a family member or friend, you can play a valuable role in supporting your friend or relative’s recovery:
- Provide a drug, alcohol and tobacco-free environment.
- Openly discuss her comfort level with being in social situations where alcohol, cigarettes or other substances are available.
- Encourage and support her attendance of 12-step and other self-help groups.
- Allow time for her to learn and practice new communication skills.
- Allow healing time, without bringing up or dwelling on the past.
- Acknowledge positive changes.
- Encourage the fostering of healthy new friendships.
- Consider family counselling and/or attendance at Al-Anon or Nar-Anon.
Updated March 31, 2010