A Look Inside The Salvation Army’s Life-Changing Recovery for Men
For people working to overcome substance use, the journey to recovery can be long and challenging, both physically and emotionally. In Victoria, B.C., The Salvation Army’s Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre (ARC) walks alongside men on their path to stability through structured programming.
Road to Recovery
ARC operates a live-in program that offers a supportive environment where participants can focus on healing and developing tools to sustain long-term recovery. Staff say recovery goes beyond simply staying away from drugs.
“We don’t believe that true recovery comes just from an absence of substance use, but it actually comes from building a life that makes you feel connected, joyful and allows you to feel like you belong to a community,” Ivana Bekavac, program manager at the ARC, explains.
Life at ARC
Before joining, participants must have at least 72 hours of abstinence. Once admitted, they spend four months living at the centre, completing various phases of structured programming designed to support recovery.
Participants begin with a stabilization period, which allows them to adjust to their new environment and start building social connections. This also provides staff with an opportunity to identify immediate needs and plan how to address them.
After the initial stage, clients move into their high-intensity recovery phase. Here, the men focus on developing skills that help them maintain long-term sobriety. Throughout this period, group sessions encourage communication and intentional relapse prevention.
The program also includes creative and physical activities that keep participants engaged and moving, such as journaling, art therapy and yoga.
“We have different elements to the curriculum and a lot of outings,” Ivana shares. “Each afternoon, there is a community component where, with staff supervision, our entire recovery group goes out into the community and participates in pro-social activities as a way of reintegrating.”
Additional Support and Accessibility
Each participant is supported by a caseworker who provides personalized guidance. In the final phase, staff assist clients in planning their next steps, such as securing housing, finding employment, pursuing education or accessing other necessary resources.
Once a resident leaves, their journey with The Salvation Army doesn’t end there.
“Four months can be a blip, a moment in time in somebody’s entire life of struggle. So, we try to remain as connected as possible, even after they graduate,” Ivana adds.
One of the biggest benefits of the ARC is that it is accessible even to those struggling financially, thanks to community support. It is the most affordable recovery program in Victoria and the only one available downtown.
“We offer our services to everybody who is in need, regardless of access to money and the only way we’re able to do that is if we successfully show the community what it is that we do and how it is life-saving and life-changing. Every donated dollar has a deep impact on somebody’s life, the ability to have a roof over their head, a warm meal, dignity, hope, support and an opportunity to heal,” Ivana says.
The Salvation Army’s ARC gives men an opportunity to recover with dignity and safely, while preparing them to build stability after graduating.
By Juan Romero
