The Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan is a joint union/management program that offers help to people in the organized construction industry - workers and their immediate families who have problems, due to chemical dependency, that are affecting their work performance or emotional stability.

The Plan's mandate is to tailor the treatment process to the individual needs of each client. The Plan offers pre and post treatment counseling to individuals, couples or families.

The Plan also facilitates 12 Step and other group or family support meetings. Education and awareness meetings are held regularly and can include any presentations requested by the industry or the community.

The Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan functions on a philosophy of confidentiality and trust. It could not function in any other way. The care of the affected individual is its primary purpose. No person's right to privacy will ever be put at risk.

Q-How does the Plan work?

The Plan is an Employee Assistance Program. If you have a chemical dependency problem, you need help! The Plan's counselors will arrange for services such as detoxification, medical assessment, counseling and treatment, where it seems appropriate.

Q-What about my job if I take treatment?

Your employer is usually happy to give you time off just the same as for any other illness. Your union is ready to help as well, and the Plan is designed to take care of any other problems that might arise in this area.

Q-Who pays the bills?

There is no charge for detox facilities. The Plan pays for treatment and travel expenses. Since addiction is a family disease, the Plan will pay for your spouse to attend a suitable program where available.

Q-What about wage loss?

Employment Insurance and most union welfare plans will pay wage loss while you are in treatment as they would for any other illness.

The Plan's fourteen bed Treatment Centre has "been there" for more than a thousand Tradesmen since opening in late 1989. These alumni have rejoined their families, their industry and their communities.

The Centre offers a 32 day residential program of structured treatment where clients can discover the nature of their addiction and explore the beginnings of recovery. The program allows an individual to come to terms with life while gaining new respect for himself.

- group therapy

- one-on-one counseling

introduction to, and participation in the various 12-Step recovery programs

- lectures

- life skills training

Although the Centre, due to its physical limitations, can only accommodate male clients, the Plan accesses all other treatment facilities to meet the needs of our female tradespeople.