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Questions & Answers

Intake Calendar

September 2010

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Where is Round Lake? How do I get there (plane, bus, taxi)?
When is the next available intake date? Is there a waiting list?
How long is treatment?
What will I do in treatment?
Can couples come to Round Lake together?
Is there a minimum age for admission?
What does it cost?
How do I get referred to Round Lake?
Where can I get an application for treatment?
Does Round Lake offer detox services?
Are teachings on First Nations' culture provided at Round Lake?
Why don't you have specialized men's/women's programs?
Is there a store, bank, or bank machine near the centre?
Can I get a job at Round Lake?
Do you really get snow in Vernon?

Where is Round Lake? How do I get there (plane, bus, taxi)? - return to top

The Centre is located in the interior of British Columbia on the Okanagan Reserve. We are at the end of Emery Louis Road (formerly called Treatment Centre Rd), just off Highway 97 North (Vernon-Kamloops Hwy), approximately 22 kilometers northwest of Vernon and 99 kilometers southeast of Kamloops. A 12-foot sign marks the turn-off to Round Lake Road. After turning off Highway 97 N, follow the posted signs for 2 kilometres to the Centre. Click here for a map of the area.

The Greyhound depot in Vernon is the closest bus station. If travelling by air, the nearest commercial airport is in Kelowna. A shuttle from the Kelowna Airport into the city of Vernon costs $24 and approximately $72 to go all the way to the Round Lake Treatment Centre (contact Vernon Airporter for the most current rates). The taxi from Vernon to Round Lake costs $50 (using Vernon Taxi).

When is the next available intake date? Is there a waiting list? - return to top

Check our intake calendar here. The date of the next intake is always mentioned on our front page as well. Clients are booked on a first-come-first-served basis, and are booked only upon receipt of all information required in the intake process (completed application for treatment, client medical, TB test). Once an intake is fully booked, clients are put on the list for the next intake. The referring counsellor can request that the client be put on the waiting list for an earlier intake.

How long is treatment? - return to top

Treatment cycles last 5 or 6 weeks; please see the intake calendar for specific dates and lengths. Round Lake operates on a closed-intake system, which means there are designated intake dates throughout the year. All clients in each group start and end their treatment on the same dates, and then a new group comes in. In addition, 3-week programs are offered during each intake for past clients who have maintained their sobriety and want a refresher. These clients would arrive in the middle of an existing treatment program and end (Marble) with that group.

What will I do in treatment? - return to top

Some details on the various aspects of the program can be found on the Attending RLTC page. Clients take part in lectures, videos, art therapy, sharing circles, journals, counselling sessions, Elders teachings, sweats, traditional ceremonies, 12-step work and speakers. These will aid clients in gaining personal insight into such issues as trauma, grief, communication, boundaries, codependency, relationships, family of origin, stress & anger management, and addictions & relapse prevention.

Can couples come to Round Lake together? - return to top

Yes, we offer treatment for couples. We have 4 couples´ bedrooms in our residence. Couples can come in together.

Is there a minimum age for admission? - return to top

Yes. Due to legal restrictions all clients must be at least 19 years old at the date of their intake into treatment - we cannot make any exceptions to this rule.

What does it cost? - return to top

There is no per diem charge for Status Indians and Recognized Inuit who are residents of Canada. Travel to and from the Centre is the responsibility of the client; it may be possible to have this covered by FNIHB (federal) or MHR (provincial).

How do I get referred to Round Lake? - return to top

All clients must be referred by a recognized alcohol and drug abuse counsellor, mental health counsellor, or family counsellor, and must have attended at least 6 sessions with this counsellor (preferably more). The counsellor must also be willing to provide post-treatment counselling as part of your aftercare program.

Where can I get an application for treatment? - return to top

Referral workers can download the most recent copy of our Application for Treatment on our Referral Package page (available in both PC and Mac versions). If downloading is not an option for you, please call or write and we will send you a copy by mail. Prospective clients should see a counsellor to obtain our application for treatment (we do not accept self-referrals).

Does Round Lake offer detox services? - return to top

No, we offer addictions counselling services only. Round Lake does not have the medical facilities nor the resources required to support persons who need detoxification. For this reason it is essential that clients have a minimum of 14 days free from alcohol and drugs prior to their date of intake. Any client arriving without the minimum sobriety time will not be admitted to treatment. We do recommend a longer period of sobriety if at all possible, so that the body has had sufficient time to detoxify before the person commences their intensive treatment program. Longer sobriety times before treatment result in clients who have greater success in maintaining their sobriety after treatment.

Are teachings on First Nations' culture provided at Round Lake? - return to top

Absolutely. "Culture is Treatment" is our motto. The Medicine Wheel concept of healing is an integral part of the treatment process. Elders come in to speak with the clients on a regular basis; clients do morning smudges and have sweats twice per week. By providing clients with a basic exposure to First Nations' culture, they can then go back to their own communities with this awareness and find out more about the cultures and traditions that are specific to their own heritage. Round Lake takes aspects of many different cultures and includes them in the treatment experience. Out of respect for all belief systems, the spirituality components of the program will not interfere with, but enhance, each client’s spiritual beliefs. More information on the cultural activities at Round Lake Treatment Centre can be found on our Cultural Activities page.

Why don't you have specialized men's/women's programs? - return to top

In the past we ran one Men-Only program and one Women-Only program per year. Our funding sources (federal and provincial governments) require us to maintain a specified minimum occupancy level, and the specialized programs have historically had attendance significantly lower than what we are required to meet. We will consider re-instating the Men's and Women's programs at a future date, based upon assessments of demand.

Is there a store, bank, or bank machine near the centre? - return to top

Well, certainly not within easy walking distance. We are 22 kilometres from Vernon and 20 kilometres from Armstrong and the nearest services. Clients are encouraged to bring with them all the personal supplies they will need for their whole stay. There are town-trips each weekend when clients are taken to a mall in Vernon for a couple of hours. Remember to bring your bank card (to help cash cheques) and a phone card (to make long-distance calls). If you don't have a Calling Card, you can purchase long-distance phone cards at most convenience stores (ie. 7-11) before you come for treatment.

Can I get a job at Round Lake? - return to top

We do have openings come up from time-to-time. Please check our Employment page regularly for any current openings.

Do you really get snow in Vernon? - return to top

At Round Lake, it can snow between November and March with accumulations usually of about one foot at any one time. Normally the winter climate is very amiable.