Frequently Asked Questions

HBR was designed for people looking for an at-home immersive drug and alcohol treatment and recovery program with more flexibility and financial affordability than conventional in-patient alcohol and drug rehabs, primary mental health treatment centres, and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP).

HBR may not be a good fit if any of the following apply:

• You cannot abstain from substances (other than prescribed medications) for 3-5 days before the program starts
• You are unable to commit to daily program activities
• You are not able to commit to a 30-day substance-free recovery program (other than prescribed medications)
• You need more intensive mental health support, prior to beginning the program. Our intake specialists and Program Director Dr. Michael Berry R. Psych evaluate the suitability of each program candidate. In some cases we may require a participant establish detox or additional mental health support prior to starting HBR and could also continue seeing that therapist while in the program.

HBR is a good fit if any of the following apply:

• You are looking to explore and address your drinking or substance use concerns
• You have tried other recovery models and treatment approaches without success
• You have slipped or relapsed after previous residential rehabs or IOPs
• You have managed to stop using/drinking but cannot seem to keep it under control
• You are looking to add additional support to community-based support groups
• You are looking for more personalized attention and support in your recovery process
• You are looking for an alternative to expensive inpatient drug and alcohol rehab centres
• You are already working with a therapist and want to add additional targeted support and psycho-education for addiction recovery
• Here is a great article on Home Based Alternatives for alcohol addiction recovery

Reach out today to get started with HBR.

Yes. Going online with HBR doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. Home Based Recovery was built by experts across addictions, psychology, and counselling, and many of our authors have lived experience. They get it and want to make a difference. During onboarding, we’ll pair you with the right recovery coach, therapist, or counsellor, and they’ll stay with you throughout the program.

Whatever mental health or addiction issue you are facing – alcohol, gambling, drug use, depression – HBR has an online program designed to fit your life. Visit our Get Help For page to learn more about how Home Based Recovery can help you or a loved one with a specific concern, or just reach out to get started.

Our program is similar to residential rehab centres in that we offer an immersive treatment experience where you prioritize your recovery for the duration of the program, while engaging in activities and education that will lay a rock-solid foundation for long term change and sobriety.

With conventional rehab centres you are required to live at the rehab centre for the duration of the program. With HBR, you participate and complete treatment from the comfort of your home, with the added benefit of building real-world resilience. Read more about choosing between a residential rehab centre and home-based treatment.

Traditional recovery programs have helped many people successfully overcome addiction and mental health challenges. However, standard inpatient treatment is not always the best fit for everyone.

• Traditional inpatient treatment often requires leaving loved ones and responsibilities behind, which can add stress.
• The high cost of private inpatient rehab or intensive outpatient programs (IOP) puts them out of reach for many.
• The idea of packing up your life and leaving your everyday routine can feel overwhelming and daunting.
• Geographic or mobility limitations may make attending in-person programs difficult.
• Waiting lists and delayed access to treatment can stall progress when immediate help is needed.

Home Based Recovery provides a fully online, professional treatment option that connects you with your Recovery Coach more frequently than any program available. This allows you to receive expert support and tools for addiction and mental health recovery while staying connected to your daily life and responsibilities.

This depends on your specific coverage. We encourage you to contact your insurance provider and ask if they will fund the HBR treatment. We are happy to provide any relevant information your provider may require.

We take a holistic approach to recovering from drugs and alcohol. This means we include education on everything from how your brain functions during/after addiction, to relationship building and healthy boundaries, to the importance of movement and daily routines. We brought in known experts and specialists to help us with the content of the program, There are 60 videos of content, some topics are included below.

• The neuroscience of addiction
• Slip and relapse prevention
• Building distress tolerance
• Building a healthy support network
• Identifying personal triggers
• Navigating family dynamics
• Building a personalized recovery map
• Implementing mindfulness practices
• Establishing healthy boundaries
• Building supportive relationships
• Understanding denial mechanisms
• Developing a craving response plan
• Coping with emotional and mental relapse
• Assessing Recovery Capital

The Home Based Recovery programs provide psycho-educational content and recovery coaching services. Our team is comprised of recovery coaches, addiction counsellors, and other health professionals (i.e.psychologist). However, we do not provide counselling or psychotherapy within the core program.

We would be happy to help you line up an appropriate counsellor or therapist through our Virtual Counselling services, and we are often able to make recommendations and referrals after the intake assessment. We would be happy to communicate with your doctor or other professionals, if you want us to.

No, you are not required to attend community groups such as AA, NA, or SMART Recovery — we believe recovery should be tailored to the individual, and we support all pathways to recovery. We do encourage building your recovery community, and we review 12-step principles alongside other peer support options during the HBR program.

Yes. All programs include access to our virtual Recovery Management Groups, which are included in the cost. These groups run weekly and are free for six months after you complete a program.

After you finish the 30-day program, you will transition to six months of weekly recovery coaching with your assigned group. These weekly sessions allow you to work through real-world issues as you navigate early sobriety, and to deepen your connection with other group members in a supportive setting.

The HBR program was developed to be followed for 30 consecutive days. However, we understand some people’s schedule may not allow for daily work on the modules. Let us know what you need and we will be as flexible as possible to make sure HBR works for your schedule.

You can also consider our My Path stream. My Path is developed for individuals who wish to work in a more self-directed, at-your-own-pace program.

If you are currently working with a Recovery Coach or Therapist that can help you unpack the content learned within HBR, we suggest following our My Path stream. My Path provides less one-on-one coaching time, and is a more self-directed path available at a lower cost. You will get less time 1-on-1 with your Recovery Coach, and can add additional aftercare if you wish for an extra cost.

HBR participants must be free from substances (other than prescribed medication) for at least 3-5 days prior to beginning the program.

This helps ensure that you are ready and able to participate, have meaningful one-on-ones with your Recovery Coach, and derive the greatest benefit from the program. Quitting drugs or alcohol and staying stopped is tough work, and our program is designed to help you achieve lasting sobriety and fulfilling change.

If you are struggling to achieve 3-5 consecutive days substance-free and you think you might need medical attention and support we can help with referrals. Note that drastically reducing or quitting altogether without medical supervision can be dangerous. Always consult your doctor once you have made the choice to reduce or quit using/drinking.

While every situation is unique, some clients are able to continue working while they complete the HBR program. If you have more free time to spend on HBR this would be beneficial too.

We ask that all HBR clients have:

• A quiet and confidential workspace equipped for virtual learning
• Reliable access to the internet
• 2-3 hours of HBR engagement and program activities daily

You will have time throughout the day to attend to personal and/or work related issues, and we trust that each person will make the arrangements that best serve their individual and family needs. If you have questions about your specific situation, we are happy to speak to you. Simply contact us at any time and someone from our team will get back to you.

The typical HBR day begins in the morning (or whenever you begin the daily module) and includes 6 individual, online, or self-directed activities throughout the day. Each activity lasts between 15–60 minutes, totalling roughly 2-3 hours per day.

Here's a typical day within the HBR program:

• 6:00—9:00am: Recommended start time but is flexible to your schedule
• Flexible: Mindfulness
• Flexible: Psycho-education video
• Flexible: Physical activity (whatever you normally do i.e. walk, run, gym, yoga, play with kids)
• Flexible: Skills education video
• Flexible: Journalling and personal responsibilities
• Flexible: One-on-one session with your Recovery Coach or therapist

We know that life does not magically stop when you are ready to recover from drugs and alcohol. You may have work, pets, family obligations or other responsibilities that need attention, and we respect this by providing flexible scheduling that works for you. Contact us to learn more about how HBR can fit into your routine.

We understand that recovering from drugs and alcohol can be a really stressful time for people (and their families), and that is why we have made our intake process easy and friendly.

1. After an inquiry comes in, an HBR team member will send out some information on the program including pricing.
2. An intake questionnaire will be sent out with several questions on a variety of topics including mental health, drug and alcohol use, family dynamics and relationships, employment and current day-to-day obligations.
3. Once you have answered the questions, our team will review the information and get in touch with you quickly to arrange a consultation with a licensed drug and alcohol therapist.

We are very responsive to all inquiries and we have the ability to onboard quickly as we never have waitlists to start the program. Reach out today.