Nanaimo offers some options for free supports for those neighbors struggling with substance use.
Helpful Links
The Orca Lelum Youth Wellness Centre: offers medically supervised withdrawal support, mental health crisis supports and holistic live-in wellness for youth aged 12-18 that are residents of British Columbia.
Island Health Walk-in Crisis Counselling & Substance Use Services at Brooks Landing: Provides individuals seeking crisis counselling and connects to mental health and substance use community services. This service includes the Walk-in Crisis Counselling Clinic that provides services to all ages as well as an Intake service that provides referrals and resources to individuals 19 years of age or older.
Vancouver Island Crisis Line: 24-hour Vancouver Island Crisis Line is a service contracted by Provincial Health Services Authority.
Island Health Mental Health & Substance Use Services: NRGH Recovery Group Thursdays 3pm to 4pm at The Gathering Space (Main floor by Nephrology)
Island Health Discovery Youth & Family Substance Use Services: offers free community-based counselling services, access to residential care and treatment for youth struggling with substance use.
Alcoholics Anonymous Nanaimo: Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem. It doesn’t cost anything to attend A.A. meetings. There are no age or education requirements to participate. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem.
Narcotics Anonymous Nanaimo: A nonprofit fellowship of people for whom drugs had become a major problem. Meet regularly to help each other stay clean.
RiseBridge Community Centre: Recovery group Mondays 5pm to 6:30pm.
Tillicum Lelum Drug & Alcohol Counselling Program: Provides one on one counselling support services as well as groups in a culturally safe environment.
CMHA Albert St Overdose Prevention Site: As part of health care service, staff in these locations monitor people who are at risk of overdose and provide rapid intervention if necessary. Pick up harm reduction kits and supplies; get Naloxone kits and training to use them. Return your sharps for safe disposal.
Toward the Heart: Provincial Harm reduction program. Offers links to harm reduction, safe injection sites, peer worker training, and more.
Moms Stop the Harm- Holding Hope Canada: Holding Hope Groups are for parents and family members of someone suffering from substance use disorder. Free to attend and for ages 18 and up. Meets regularly in Nanaimo. Email HoldingHopeNanaimo@gmail.com
Moms Stop the Harm – Healing Hearts: Free bereavement support group specific to those grieving the loss of a loved one due to overdose or substance-use related harms. Meets regularly in Nanaimo. Email nanaimohealinghearts@gmail.com
Moms Stop the Harm – Family Peer Navigation: Provides free support to families and individuals who are experiencing substance use challenges and need to access and navigate complex systems of care. Serves Duncan, Nanaimo and Parksville. Call 778-674-8638. bcfamilynavigator@momsstoptheharm.com
VictimLinkBC: provides information and referral services to all victims of crime and immediate crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence.
Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo 