If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction in Peterborough, Freeport Recovery offers structured, private treatment you can access quickly — without the lengthy waitlists that come with publicly funded programs in Ontario. Our residential facility is located in St. Catharines, approximately 2 hours from Peterborough via Highway 115 and the QEW, providing the focused distance from familiar environments that meaningful recovery often requires.
Peterborough has been one of the hardest-hit communities in Ontario when it comes to substance use and addiction — and the data reflects it. Peterborough’s rates of opioid-related emergency room visits and opioid-related deaths have historically been nearly double the provincial averages, according to Peterborough Public Health data.
In 2023, a record 78 suspected drug poisoning deaths were recorded in the Peterborough public health region — a 32 per cent increase from the 59 deaths reported the year before. Through the first ten months of 2024 alone, Peterborough Public Health reported 53 drug poisoning deaths, with hundreds more emergency department visits and 911 paramedic calls. Fentanyl, combined increasingly with stimulants and benzodiazepines, continues to drive the crisis — making the local drug supply unpredictable and frequently lethal.
Alcohol, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and prescription drug misuse also affect thousands of Peterborough-area residents each year, across all ages, income levels, and neighbourhoods.
The public treatment system is under serious strain. The average wait time for a publicly funded treatment program in Ontario is approximately 42 days — and that’s before accounting for the time needed to see a specialist. For someone who has found the courage to ask for help, waiting more than a month is not just frustrating — it can be dangerous. Recovery windows are fragile, and private treatment allows you to act on them immediately.
Many people in Peterborough are surprised to learn that one of the most important decisions in their recovery is where they receive it. Here’s why leaving the city often produces better outcomes:
Distance from triggers. Recovery is significantly harder when you’re surrounded by the same people, places, and routines that reinforced substance use. Residential treatment in St. Catharines removes you from that environment and gives your mind and body the space to reset.
Privacy and confidentiality. In a close-knit community like Peterborough, seeking treatment close to home can feel risky. Our facility offers complete privacy in a setting that’s far enough away to matter — giving you the freedom to focus entirely on your recovery.
No disruption to your life back home. Our admissions team handles everything. You focus on getting well; we handle the logistics from intake through to discharge planning and aftercare.
A therapeutic environment. Our St. Catharines facility offers access to outdoor space, physical fitness, and wellness modalities — the kind of healing environment that’s difficult to replicate in an urban or suburban setting.
Our treatment facility is located in St. Catharines, Ontario, approximately 220 km from Peterborough. Most clients travelling from the Peterborough area arrive by car.
Driving from Peterborough: Take Highway 115 South to Highway 35, connecting to Highway 401 West. Follow the 401 to the QEW South toward Niagara, continuing to St. Catharines (Exit 47 or your GPS destination). Estimated drive time: 1 hour 55 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes depending on traffic.
Travelling from:
If you need help arranging transportation to our facility, our admissions team is available to assist. We want getting to treatment to be the easiest part of this process.
Freeport Recovery offers a full continuum of care designed to meet you where you are — whether you need intensive residential support or flexible virtual treatment.
Our flagship program. You live at our facility full-time and engage in a structured daily schedule of individual therapy, group sessions, wellness activities, and personal development. Residential treatment is the most effective option for moderate to severe substance use disorders, and clients typically stay for 30, 60, or 90 days depending on clinical need.
For Peterborough residents who cannot leave work, family, or other responsibilities, our virtual program delivers evidence-based addiction treatment entirely online. Sessions are structured, confidential, and led by our clinical team. This is a legitimate, evidence-informed path to recovery — not a lesser alternative.
Ongoing one-on-one support with a certified recovery counsellor, designed for individuals in early recovery or those stepping down from residential care. Ideal for maintaining progress and accountability after completing residential treatment.
Recovery doesn’t end at discharge. Our aftercare programming keeps Peterborough-based clients connected to their clinical team and peer community as they reintegrate into daily life.
Freeport Recovery provides treatment for a wide range of substance use disorders, including:
Alcohol
Cocaine
Amphetamine
Opioid
Benzodiazepine
Prescription Drug
Cannabis
Many clients arrive with co-occurring concerns — anxiety, depression, trauma, or other mental health challenges alongside their substance use. Our integrated approach addresses both simultaneously.
At Freeport Recovery, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all treatment. Every client receives a personalized care plan built around their substance use history, mental and physical health, goals, and lifestyle. Our clinical team combines evidence-based therapies with a range of experiential and wellness-based modalities:
Our facility is CARF accredited and LegitScript certified — independent third-party verifications that our programs meet rigorous standards for quality and safety.
We know that the cost of private treatment is often one of the first concerns for Peterborough residents and their families. Freeport Recovery partners with Medicard to offer flexible payment plans, making private care more attainable. Our admissions team will discuss all available options with you transparently and without pressure — because financial concerns should never be the reason someone doesn’t get the help they need.
Yes. We regularly admit clients from the Peterborough region, including the city, the county, and the broader Kawarthas area. Our admissions team is experienced in helping people navigate the logistics of leaving their home community for treatment, including transportation planning and communication with families.
Most clients from Peterborough reach our St. Catharines facility in approximately 2 hours via Highway 115 South and the QEW. Travel from surrounding areas like Lindsay, Cobourg, or Port Hope is typically somewhat shorter. Our admissions team can help plan your route.
In most cases, we can accommodate new clients within a few days of initial contact. This is a significant advantage over publicly funded programs in Ontario, where the average wait for treatment can be approximately 42 days. We understand that the window when someone is ready and willing to seek help is precious — we don’t make you wait for it.
Freeport Recovery is a private treatment facility. OHIP covers publicly funded addiction programs, but not private centres. We offer flexible financing through our partnership with Medicard, which provides structured payment plans to make private treatment more accessible. Our admissions team will walk you through all available financial options before you commit to anything.
Residential treatment means you live at our facility in St. Catharines for the duration of your program — typically 30 to 90 days. It is the most comprehensive level of care and is recommended for moderate to severe substance use disorders, or for individuals who have attempted treatment before without long-term success. Virtual treatment is delivered entirely online and suits individuals with work, family, or financial constraints that make leaving Peterborough difficult. Both programs are clinically structured and led by our treatment team.
Absolutely. Family involvement is an important part of the recovery process. We offer family support, education, and counselling throughout treatment. Families can participate remotely or visit our facility as appropriate. Our team will provide guidance on how to best support your loved one’s recovery.
Our admissions team will send you a complete packing list after your intake call. In general, you’ll want comfortable clothing for therapy sessions and physical activities, personal hygiene items, any prescribed medications, and a few personal comfort items. Electronics policies vary — our admissions team will advise you on this during intake.
Yes, completely. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of our practice and is protected by law. Your treatment at Freeport Recovery will not be disclosed to employers, family members (without your consent), or any other parties. Many Peterborough-based clients choose private residential treatment specifically because of the privacy it affords — particularly in a community where personal networks are close.
Recovery is possible, and it begins with one step forward. Start your journey today and let us walk beside you every step of the way.
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