February 11, 2026 | Alberta

In Alberta, Addictions Workers are front-line professionals who support individuals struggling with substance use. They are not psychologists or registered therapists. Instead, they provide structured support, crisis response, recovery guidance, and practical resource coordination. 

In cities like Edmonton and Calgary, the role reflects real community needs, from detox and harm reduction to housing and recovery services. Let’s look at what this career really involves. 

What Is an Addictions Worker? 

An Addictions Worker supports individuals who are experiencing substance use challenges. The focus is on: 

• Stabilization 
• Harm reduction 
• Recovery support 
• Resource coordination 
• Ongoing encouragement and accountability 

This role can exist in both short-term crisis environments and longer-term recovery programs. 

Unlike regulated clinical roles, Addictions Workers typically: 

• Do not diagnose mental health disorders 
• Do not provide independent psychotherapy 
• Do not require professional licensing as psychologists or social workers 

Instead, they work within structured programs and teams to help individuals move toward stability. 

Where Addictions Workers Work in Calgary 

Calgary has a wide network of addiction-focused services. 

Detox Centres 

Facilities such as the Renfrew Recovery Centre and detox programs operated by organizations like Alpha House provide medically supported withdrawal management. 

In detox settings, Addictions Workers may: 

• Conduct intake interviews 
• Observe and report withdrawal symptoms to medical staff
• Provide emotional support during stabilization 
• Coordinate referrals to residential treatment programs 
• Maintain documentation and case notes 

The environment is structured and supervised. You are part of a team that may include nurses and healthcare professionals. 

Shelter-Based Addictions Support 

Organizations such as Calgary Drop-In Centre and the Mustard Seed. Employ Addictions Workers to support individuals experiencing both homelessness and substance use challenges. 

In these roles, you might: 

• Support daily shelter operations 
• Observe and report withdrawal symptoms to medical staff 
• Provide harm reduction education 
• Connect individuals to detox or treatment services 
• Offer structured recovery-oriented conversations 

This is fast-paced, front-line work. You must stay calm, professional, and observant. 

Harm Reduction and Outreach Teams 

Calgary is known for mobile outreach programs such as the former DOAP Team (now HELP Team), which responds to substance-related crises in the community. 

Addictions Workers on outreach teams may: 

• Respond to calls involving intoxicated individuals 
• Transport clients to detox or safe shelter 
• Provide on-the-spot support and de-escalation 
• Distribute harm reduction supplies 
• Coordinate with emergency services 

This role involves working directly in the community rather than in a fixed facility. 

Residential Recovery Programs 

Longer-term treatment centres and sober living programs in Calgary employ Addictions Workers to: 

• Facilitate group sessions 
• Support daily routines in residential settings 
• Teach life skills and relapse prevention strategies 
• Provide structured supervision 
• Track client progress 

In these environments, you are part of the recovery journey over weeks or months. 

Where Addictions Workers Work in Edmonton 

Edmonton has a strong network of addiction and inner-city support services. 

Detox and Medical Withdrawal Programs 

Organizations such as the George Spady Society operate medically supported detox programs in Edmonton. 

In these facilities, Addictions Workers may: 

• Assist with intake assessments 
• Provide trauma-informed support 
• Observe and report withdrawal symptoms to medical staff 
• Coordinate transition planning to treatment programs 
• Work alongside healthcare professionals 

You are not providing medical treatment, but you are part of the stabilization process. 

Inner-City Outreach and Crisis Response 

Agencies such as Boyle Street Community Services, Hope Mission and Bissell Centre. Employ Addictions Workers in shelter and outreach environments. 

Daily responsibilities may include: 

• Supporting individuals experiencing addiction and housing instability 
• Conducting intake interviews 
• Providing crisis intervention 
• Referring clients to detox and recovery programs 
• Documenting interactions 

This is direct community-based work that requires resilience and strong communication skills. 

Harm Reduction Programs 

Edmonton also operates supervised consumption services and needle exchange programs. 

Addictions Workers in these settings may: 

• Provide education on safer substance use 
• Distribute harm reduction supplies 
• Monitor for overdose and respond appropriately according to training and organizational protocols
• Offer referrals to treatment when clients are ready 

This environment focuses on meeting people where they are, without judgment. 

What Does a Typical Day Look Like? 

The daily routine depends on the setting, but common tasks include: 

• Client intake and assessment 
• One-on-one support conversations 
• Group facilitation 
• Monitoring client safety 
• Crisis response 
• Documentation and reporting 
• Coordinating referrals to detox, housing, or treatment 
• Team meetings with supervisors and healthcare staff 

In shelter or outreach roles, the work may be shift-based and include evenings or weekends. In treatment or outpatient settings, schedules may be more structured. 

What This Career Is — and Is Not 

An Addictions Worker in Alberta: 

• Provides structured, front-line support 
• Works within teams and community agencies 
• Supports stabilization and recovery 
• Helps clients access detox, treatment, and housing 

It is not: 

• Independent psychotherapy practice 
• Clinical diagnosis 
• Medical treatment 
• A licensed counselling profession 

It is practical, team-based, and focused on recovery support.  

What Skills You Will Need 

To work as an Addictions Worker in Alberta, compassion alone is not enough. Employers in Edmonton and Calgary look for practical, job-ready skills that allow you to work confidently in front-line environments. 

Here are the core skills you will need: 

Strong communication 

You must listen actively, speak clearly, and build trust with clients who may be in crisis. 

Crisis response and de-escalation 

In shelters, detox centres, or outreach settings, situations can change quickly. Staying calm and responding safely is essential. 

Understanding addiction and recovery 

You need a solid grasp of addiction fundamentals, harm reduction, relapse prevention, and recovery models to support clients effectively. 

Professional boundaries 

Addictions work can be emotionally intense. Maintaining clear ethical boundaries protects both you and your clients. 

Documentation and organization 

Accurate case notes and reports are part of daily responsibilities and ensure continuity of care. 

Team collaboration 

You will work alongside healthcare staff, supervisors, and community partners. Communication and teamwork are critical. 

Training focused on addictions and community services is designed to build these skills so graduates can step into structured, front-line roles with confidence.  

How Education Aligns with This Career Path 

To work in addictions support, employers expect foundational knowledge in: 

• Addiction theory 
• Recovery models 
• Mental health awareness 
• Crisis intervention 
• Documentation standards 
• Ethical boundaries 
• Community resource systems 

Addictions Workers are front-line professionals who support individuals struggling with substance use. They are not psychologists or registered therapists. Instead, they provide structured support, crisis response, recovery guidance, and practical resource coordination.

The Addictions and Community Services Worker diploma at CDI College in Alberta is designed to prepare students for these types of roles, to prepare graduates for an entry-level position in any facility that deals with alcohol and drug abuse clients.

The program focuses on: 

• Addiction fundamentals 
• Client support strategies 
• Professional communication 
• Community resource coordination 
• Working with vulnerable populations 

A required practicum placement provides supervised, real-world experience within a community agency before graduation. This is especially important because many employers in Edmonton and Calgary look for hands-on experience in addiction or shelter environments. 

Also, students earn the three external certificates bundled into the program, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), First Aid, and CPR-C certifications to add to their professional credentials for future career success. 

The program prepares graduates to begin working directly with people in addictions and social support settings. It does not prepare students for regulated roles such as psychologists or registered social workers. 

Bonus Read: How to Become a Community Service and Addictions Worker in Alberta? 

Final Thoughts 

An Addictions Worker in Alberta plays a critical role in detox centres, shelters, outreach teams, and recovery programs across Edmonton and Calgary. 

You may be supporting someone during withdrawal, helping a client enter treatment, facilitating a recovery group, or responding to a crisis in the community. 

A focused training such as the CDI College Addictions and Community Services Worker diploma program aligns with that pathway. It prepares you for entry-level, front-line roles where you can step into Alberta’s addiction support network and begin making a real difference.