If you’re not sure where to begin, or feeling overwhelmed, this short video will give you an overview of all the treatment and recovery options available – including doing it on your own. No pressure or confusion.
Introduction
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or even a little pressured to be here, you’re not alone.
And if you’re a partner or family member trying to understand what help looks like, that’s completely understandable too.
I am Brad Oneil, and I have been helping people recover from addiction since 2006. I have lived experience. What I mean by that is that I started my own recovery journey in January of 2004 and have been continuously sober since then using the principes and practices I have incorporated into all of the Life Recovery Healing programs.
This short video is designed to give you a clear, simple overview of the treatment options available, so you can decide what feels right for your situation — without pressure and without judgment.
Why This Matters
Addictions such as substance abuse and compulsive sexual behaviours create unmanageability for both the addict and their loved ones. What to do and how to get help can feel confusing, but the recovery landscape itself doesn’t have to be. When you understand the different levels of support, it becomes much easier to take the next step with confidence.
And if you’ve tried to quit or cut down before and found yourself relapsing, that doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It usually just means the level of support didn’t match where you are at in your journey or your specific circumstances.
Below is a description of the eight possible levels of help or intervention and at the end you will see a ninth level, which is Stage 2 recovery which is recommended after sustainable recovery is achieved.
Level 1: Trying on Your Own
Level 1 is trying to quit on your own.
This often includes cutting back, white knuckling, trying to “reset,” or relying on willpower. Many people also attend a few 12-Step meetings or watch recovery content online.
These attempts usually come from a desire to change — and sometimes they work for a short time — but the relapse risk is high because there’s no structure, no accountability, and no guidance. Many people with tons of willpower in all the other areas of their lives find that willpower alone is not enough.
Level 2: General Counselling
Level 2 is counselling with a therapist.
This can help with emotions, stress, and triggers. And while it can be supportive, it often lacks the structure people with addiction need. Best results usually occur when there is a structured program of recovery with a starting point and ending with a sustainable recovery plan.
Most therapists don’t specialize in addiction, and few have lived experience — which is why people sometimes feel like they’re doing a lot of talking with their therapist but not seeing real change.
Level 3: Self-Directed Programs (8 Weeks – available for Substance Abuse and Compulsive Sexual Behaviour)
Level 3 is our self-directed eight-week programs.
These programs are structured, including weekly modules, exercises, and guidance, and help you build a sustainable recovery plan — without having to work directly with a therapist.
You’re independent, but you’re not on your own. You receive supportive emails between modules, and you can switch into a therapist-guided option at any time if you need more accountability or support.
No waitlist. These programs can be started they day a person registers.
Level 4: Therapist-Guided Programs (8 Weeks – available for Substance Abuse and Compulsive Sexual Behaviour)
Level 4 is our therapist-guided eight-week programs.
These programs are Outpatient Treatment. These include everything from the self-directed version, plus weekly counselling, accountability, lived-experience support, and help addressing the emotional and behavioural drivers of addiction.
Partners of addicts often prefer this level because it provides a clear structure with a beginning, middle, and end – not just weeks of talking or tying it on your own. And it results in a concrete recovery plan and individualized advice depending on a client’s circumstances and needs.
No waitlist. These programs can be started they day a person registers.
Level 5: NEAR (12 Weeks)
Level 5 is NEAR — No Excuses Addiction Recovery.
This is a twelve-week intensive program designed for people who need daily support but don’t want to or can’t attend residential treatment. It includes weekly counselling, daily check-ins, structured guidance, accountability, and continuous support — is a residential treatment-adjacent level of care at a fraction of the cost.
It’s ideal for people who have repeatedly relapsed or who need a higher level of structure to stay on track. You must call us or fill out a contact form to get details about this program and to see if it is the right fit for your circumstances.
No waitlist. These programs can be started they day a person registers.
Level 6: Residential Treatment (sometimes called inpatient)
This is the highest level of care, offering 24/7 support, often including medical oversight, and an immersive environment. It can be necessary for people in crisis or those who need to be completely removed from triggers.
Private treatment can often be accessed quickly but come at a significant cost that can be $700– $800 per day and up. Recommended stays are typically 30 – 90 days.
Subsidized programs (sometimes offered by governments agencies or not-for profit agencies) that have low or no financial commitment are challenging to get into. They often have waitlists of 4 – 6 weeks. This can be disheartening because when someone is ready to change their life, being told they may need to keep struggling on their own often means 4 – 6 more weeks of active addiction.
Residential Treatment is not always the first step, but for some people it’s an important option. Please note: We do not offer residential treatment.
Level 7 – Stage 2 Recovery- Living Authentically
There’s also a stage of recovery that comes after sobriety is well established. This work is a deep dive into the underpinnings of addiction. Because nobody woke up one day and decided to be an addict or an alcoholic. Addiction isn’t something anyone would choose for themselves. Something got them there.
My experience has been that when people have tried any level of recovery and find themselves relapsing and struggling to maintain sobriety, it is because Stage 2 work was never done.
We call this program Living Authentically, and it’s designed for people who are already sober but still struggling internally. It’s not something you need right now, but it’s helpful to know it exists.
Often, we fight silent, unseen enemies. The untold stories of pain and trauma are never untold – they always appear in our behaviours and choices.
Bill Wilson, one of the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous wrote of “The New Frontier – Emotional Sobriety”, the work that needs to be done by all of us after achieving abstinence.
This work which I did in my own journey was, without a doubt, the most important piece of my recovery.
Choosing What’s Right
Every person’s situation is different, and the right level of support depends on where you are today — not where you think you “should” be. The key is choosing a path that gives you enough structure, support, and accountability to make the changes you’re ready to make. And we give you the option to change the level of help you need in our programs if the first one you select isn’t working for you. You are in the driver’s seat.
Next Steps
If you’re ready to take a step — whether that means getting support from one of our counsellors or starting one of our structured programs on your own — you’ll find both options below.
If this is a personal struggle with your own addictions or you’re a loved one trying to figure out where to begin, you can reach out by filling out a contact form or sending an email and we’ll help guide you through the choices.
You don’t have to figure this out on your own.
Or of course, you can get started today with one of our self-directed programs.