Second Stage Recovery Housing

Vancouver waterfront and English Bay seen from a seaside garden


Second-stage (or sober living) recovery housing provides continuing support after a person completes a primary substance-use treatment program. Individuals who transition back to independent living along a gradual continuum of care have a significantly higher likelihood of sustained recovery. Second-stage housing offers mutual support, accountability, and connection to recovery resources at an affordable cost.

Primary substance-use treatment programs are time-limited and intensive, with abundant professional and peer-based support. When a person graduates from primary treatment, an abrupt return to their former home environment can trigger a relapse. Aftercare is an essential component of substance abuse treatment and is most effective when it occurs in a supportive living environment.

Primary treatment equips people with the skills needed to maintain sobriety; second-stage housing provides a structured setting to practice and integrate those skills. It is designed with greater flexibility and independence so individuals can pursue personal recovery goals, such as returning to work or education, while remaining engaged in their recovery and proactive about their wellness. The model emphasizes mutual support and shared accountability.

Pacific Trails Recovery Society strongly values lived experience and peer support. An effective second-stage residence pairs residents firmly engaged in recovery with newcomers, providing mentorship and support. The combination of formal accountability and informal support promotes a sense of belonging.

Whether you call it a recovery house, a sober home, transitional housing, or a supportive recovery residence, the goal is the same: a stable foundation for lasting recovery in British Columbia.

Second-stage (or sober living) recovery housing provides continuing support after a person completes a primary substance-use treatment program. Individuals who transition back to independent living along a gradual continuum of care have a significantly higher likelihood of sustained recovery. Second-stage housing offers mutual support, accountability, and connection to recovery resources at an affordable cost.

Primary substance-use treatment programs are time-limited and intensive, with abundant professional and peer-based support. When a person graduates from primary treatment, an abrupt return to their former home environment can trigger a relapse. Aftercare is an essential component of substance abuse treatment and is most effective when it occurs in a supportive living environment.

Primary treatment equips people with the skills needed to maintain sobriety; second-stage housing provides a structured setting to practice and integrate those skills. It is designed with greater flexibility and independence so individuals can pursue personal recovery goals, such as returning to work or education, while remaining engaged in their recovery and proactive about their wellness. The model emphasizes mutual support and shared accountability.

Pacific Trails Recovery Society strongly values lived experience and peer support. An effective second-stage residence pairs residents firmly engaged in recovery with newcomers, providing mentorship and support. The combination of formal accountability and informal support promotes a sense of belonging.

Illustration of a man with a satchel checking his phone
Brandywine Falls waterfall near Whistler, British Columbia

Residences

Residences

Odyssey House - a seven (7) bedroom house in South Burnaby, BC located near major transportation routes and shopping areas.

Odyssey House primarily offers double occupancy bedrooms with one single occupancy bedroom. Monthly rate is inclusive of room and board. Residents are typically individuals who have completed a primary treatment program, and a key criterion for acceptance is a willingness to follow a strong personal recovery program.

To this end, residents are expected to attend three outside recovery meetings or activities and an in-house meeting each week. Residents are assigned chores, are expected to keep their living space clean, and help with cooking family meals. Odyssey House residents also participate in optional weekly group activities.

Odyssey House - a seven (7) bedroom house in South Burnaby, BC located near major transportation routes and shopping areas.

Odyssey House primarily offers double occupancy bedrooms with one single occupancy bedroom. Monthly rate is inclusive of room and board. Residents are typically individuals who have completed a primary treatment program, and a key criterion for acceptance is a willingness to follow a strong personal recovery program.

To this end, residents are expected to attend three outside recovery meetings or activities and an in-house meeting each week. Residents are assigned chores, are expected to keep their living space clean, and help with cooking family meals. Odyssey House residents also participate in optional weekly group activities.

Recovery Support

Recovery Support

Pacific Trails Recovery Society is a community that empowers each resident to pursue a recovery path that suits their needs. Our residences offer both mutual support among the residents and the benefit of staff that are experienced in recovery. No two recovery paths are identical and so we use a person-centred approach to ensure each resident has effective recovery supports in place. 

The Lower Mainland has a strong recovery community. There is an ample selection of professional support such as outpatient treatment programs, counselling and sober coaching. There are recovery-based sports leagues and recovery based events that take place on a regular basis. For those that seek the support of mutual support groups, there is a wide selection of meetings that take place multiple times a day.

Pacific Trails Recovery Society is a community that empowers each resident to pursue a recovery path that suits their needs. Our residences offer both mutual support among the residents and the benefit of staff that are experienced in recovery. No two recovery paths are identical and so we use a person-centred approach to ensure each resident has effective recovery supports in place. 

The Lower Mainland has a strong recovery community. There is an ample selection of professional support such as outpatient treatment programs, counselling and sober coaching. There are recovery-based sports leagues and recovery based events that take place on a regular basis. For those that seek the support of mutual support groups, there is a wide selection of meetings that take place multiple times a day.

External Resources

External Resources

We have formed partnerships with these specific organizations as they provide specialized services for those who are in recovery. Our residents are encouraged to create a recovery path that is tailored to their specific needs. These organizations provide unique services and have been proven to be beneficial. These organizations are external to our organization and will charge separate fees for their services:


We have formed partnerships with these specific organizations as they provide specialized services for those who are in recovery. Our residents are encouraged to create a recovery path that is tailored to their specific needs. These organizations provide unique services and have been proven to be beneficial. These organizations are external to our organization and will charge separate fees for their services:


Crossing the Threshold logo
Missing Link Recovery Solutions logo
Brain neural connectivity visualization representing neurofeedback therapy
Healing Way logo

Crossing the Threshold provides sober coaching, recovery support and counselling services. Individuals benefit from sober coaching due to its semi-structured, individualized approach intended to address their specific life needs after treatment. Crossing the Threshold has been in operation since 2021 and has benefited many people in recovery.

Crossing the Threshold


Missing Link Recovery Solutions: Substance use can disrupt brain chemistry and the pathways involved in mood, stress, and cravings. Missing Link offers amino acid therapy and nutritional counselling to provide key building blocks that may support neurotransmitter balance, brain recovery, and improved daily functioning.

Missing Link Recovery Solutions


West Coast Counseling and Neurofeedback clinic offers neurofeedback that trains the brian to regulate its patterns of electrical activity—allowing it to transition from various stuck points of imbalance and dysfunction towards more healthy dynamics. Many people in recovery find it helpful for supporting focus, sleep, stress regulation, and overall well-being.

West Coast Counselling & Neurofeedback Clinic


The Healing Key Way approach facilitates a systematic, self-directed process that heals from the inside out, by addressing the root cause of issues and traumas.

The Healing Way


Crossing the Threshold provides sober coaching, recovery support and counselling services. Individuals benefit from sober coaching due to its semi-structured, individualized approach intended to address their specific life needs after treatment. Crossing the Threshold has been in operation since 2021 and has benefited many people in recovery.

Crossing the Threshold


Missing Link Recovery Solutions: Substance use can disrupt brain chemistry and the pathways involved in mood, stress, and cravings. Missing Link offers amino acid therapy and nutritional counselling to provide key building blocks that may support neurotransmitter balance, brain recovery, and improved daily functioning.

Missing Link Recovery Solutions



West Coast Counseling and Neurofeedback clinic offers neurofeedback that trains the brian to regulate its patterns of electrical activity—allowing it to transition from various stuck points of imbalance and dysfunction towards more healthy dynamics. Many people in recovery find it helpful for supporting focus, sleep, stress regulation, and overall well-being.

West Coast Counselling & Neurofeedback Clinic


The Healing Key Way approach facilitates a systematic, self-directed process that heals from the inside out, by addressing the root cause of issues and traumas.

The Healing Way

Frequently Asked Questions

What is second stage recovery housing?

Second stage recovery housing — also called sober living or a recovery residence — is structured, substance-free housing for people continuing their recovery after primary treatment. Residents live together in a supportive home while rebuilding work, school, family, and community life.

Is a recovery house the same as a halfway house?

Not quite. A halfway house is often government-funded or connected to the justice system, while a recovery house or sober home like ours is voluntary, community-driven, and focused entirely on recovery. In British Columbia, homes like ours are often described as supportive recovery residences or transitional housing.

Who can live at Pacific Trails Recovery?

Our residences are for men in early recovery who are committed to sobriety and want a genuine community around them. Most residents join us after completing a primary treatment program, but every situation is different — reach out and we’ll talk it through.

What support is available to residents?

Alongside a structured, sober home environment, residents have access to recovery programming, peer support, and our partner specialists in counselling, nutrition coaching, and neurofeedback — plus regular outdoor adventures across the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.

Where are the residences located?

Our homes are in the Metro Vancouver area of British Columbia — close to transit, work, and the outdoor spaces that make the Lower Mainland such a powerful place to recover.

How do I apply?

It starts with a conversation — call, email, or use our contact form. We’ll talk about where you’re at and whether Pacific Trails Recovery is the right fit, then walk you through the application.

Ready?

Ready?

Ready?