Vesta Recovery Program for Women Inc.

                                                       Vesta is a Tobacco and Scent Free environment  

An Education and Awareness five week program is provided for those clients that request short-term  treatment. This program allows clients to increase their understanding of the disease concept and the impacts of addictions in all areas of their lives. Self Esteem, Decision making, Relapse Prevention I, Auricular Acupuncture are a few examples of the program content.    

Stage II Recovery Programming This concurrently running programming has been developed to enhance services provided in Residential Supportive Treatment Level I. Our goal is to support women in their continued efforts for personal growth. Each module presents a different theme in an educational format which facilitates opportunities for women to explore and  develop and practice skills in a structured and supportive environment.  The following modules have incorporated Best Practice and are delivered using a holistic approach, focusing on all aspects of recovery: emotional, spiritual, mental and physical. The information is provided in a facilitated-group format utilizing didactic presentations, videos and/or relevant materials or activities.

Relapse Prevention II  This module is designed to provide clients with increased awareness of the signs and symptoms of relapse. We provide opportunities in a group format in which women can present, review and receive feedback from peers and staff regarding their daily or weekly activities and schedules. The goal of these groups is to help women identify their “Budding” patterns for successful interventions on the relapse track.

 Spirituality and Wellness This module provides an introduction to the concepts of self-discovery and spirituality. It provides a foundation of understanding of how to address emotional and spiritual needs. The underlying premise is that women have typically used drugs and alcohol to “fill an emptiness inside” or to provide a release from their emotional pain. However, the release is only temporary and so they return time and time again to substance-abuse to provide relief. This pattern creates the cycle of recovery and relapse. In early recovery it can often feel like “one step forward and two steps back” as women begin to feel emotional pain but have not yet developed skills to manage their pain without using. This module introduces concepts and opportunities to explore the value of having a spiritual experience or a spiritual community.

 Family Dynamics We believe that women we serve are important members of their families and their communities. We are committed to providing program components that assist women to address family issues and family dynamics. Women are provided opportunities to develop and practice skills that will help them to nurture healthy relationships at home and in their communities.

 Women and Anger One important area of skill development in recovery from the use and/or abuse of substances is the ability to recognize and manage feelings in a healthier way. Anger has been identified as a feeling that women may have the most difficulty recognizing. Shame and guilt (resulting from expressing anger outwardly), self-harming behaviours and depression are some of the consequences that women are struggling with on a daily basis. In a series of facilitated groups women have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to express their anger in ways that are not destructive to themselves or others. Women are provided with the opportunity to practice their new skills such as delaying an angry response, conflict resolution and expressing themselves assertively.

Trauma Responsive Practice Vesta's trauma responsive programming integrates material from Seeking Safety – A treatment manual for PTST and Substance Abuse, (Lisa M. Najavits 2002), and Moving from Trauma-Informed to Trauma Responsive- A Training Program for Organizational Change (Stephanie S. Covington, PhD and Sandra L. Bloom, MD 2018) into our comprehensive women centered programming.

 Life Skills  Many women in early recovery have a deficit or have had a loss of the skills and knowledge necessary for safe day to day living. Through participation in the components of the Life Skills module, the women have an opportunity to learn and practice the practical skills of maintaining a clean and healthy environment, planning healthy and well-balanced meals, food purchasing on a budget, time and budget management and organizational skills. As a result of participating in this module women develop a sense of accomplishment which fosters the enhancement of their self-esteem. Through working as a group to achieve common goals, women are able to develop and practice the inter-personal skills of communication, clarification, confrontation, conflict resolution, co-operation, listening, trust building, boundary setting and feedback.  This program runs concurrent with the treatment program modules.

 Auricular Acupuncture  (Acudetox) This program is provided three times per week for a minimum of one month for all residents.  Residents are free to decline following three orientation sessions.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) Vesta Recovery Program for Women Inc. is a sub site for STOP (Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients) made available through the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH).   Each woman admitted to Vesta will be registered for this program, pending completion of our medical consult. Once registered, she is eligible to receive Nicotine Replacement Therapy, in the form of patches (21, 14, or 7 mgs), and one of the following: gum, lozenges, or inhalers, per week. This amazing opportunity is cost free to our clients.

Opiate Agonist Treatment (Soboxone) is provided in partnership with Respect Pharmacy and Recovery Ottawa and is an integrated part of our Relapse Prevention I programing.

 Community-Based Continuing Care  Experience has taught us that though many individuals do well when in a structured and supportive environment, the risk of relapse increases greatly when they re-integrate into the community. It is essential to provide continuing support to clients as they take these next steps and struggle to maintain the skills they have developed during their residential stay. As part of their discharge planning, clients are encouraged to participate in the Continuing Care Phase.  This group is provided one time per week on-site at Vesta Recovery Program for Women Inc.

 Rent-Geared-to-Income Rooms  Vesta provides a private room for individuals who have completed all phases of programming but have not yet secured safe and independent housing in their communities. Women completing any other residential addiction program in Ontario may apply to be considered for access following completion of a component(s) of our treatment program.