Kelowna: Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Rehabilitation and Recovery

General Information for Kelowna

The city of Kelowna, in the British Columbia Interior, lies along the shores of the Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley. With a population of just over 165,000 people, Kelowna is the third largest metropolitan area in the province, and the largest in the Interior region. The population of Kelowna is an older population—about 18 percent of residents are aged 65 years and over, higher than the Canadian average. The average age is 41 years. About 48 percent of the population is male, and 52 percent female.

With its scenic views, lake vistas, and dry, mild weather, Kelowna is the fastest growing city in North America. From 1996 to 2007, for example, the population grew by eight percent. However, the city is also ranked the least affordable housing market in Canada; 13th worldwide. The economy is fuelled primarily by the service industry and is heavily tourist-oriented. Wineries from Kelowna, especially those from the southern region, have garnered an international reputation. In many ways, Kelowna is comparable to California.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Addiction in Kelowna

According to the Center for Addictions Research of BC (CARBC), the Northern-Interior has a higher incident rate of alcohol-related deaths. The Lower Mainland region of BC, on the other hand, has a higher incident rate of drug-related deaths than other areas of the province. Province-wide statistics from CARBC have shown that close to 80 percent of all British Columbian residents use alcohol at least ‘occasionally’. Conversely, about 14 percent of residents categorized themselves as ‘former drinkers’. Alcohol use is common for both sexes, with 82 percent of surveyed males and 77 percent of surveyed females using alcohol in some form. The vast majority of British Columbian alcohol users are between the ages of 19 and 39—approximately 90 percent of 19 to 24 year olds and 85 percent of 25 to 39 year olds surveyed consumed alcohol during the 12 preceding months. Of 15 to 18 year olds, 65 percent used alcohol. Furthermore, 44 percent of males and 27 percent of females surveyed consume alcohol at least once per week.

The survey also found that over half of all British Columbia residents have used marijuana, 17 percent of who used in the preceding 12 months. Of marijuana users, 21 percent were males, and approximately 13 percent were categorized as ‘current users’. Marijuana users trend younger than alcohol users in the province, with 35 percent of 15 to 24 years old reporting use, compared to 24 percent of 25 to 34 year olds. Overall, marijuana use is reportedly rising steadily.

Lastly, the CARBC survey studied the use of illicit drugs—such drugs as cocaine, ecstasy, and others. Results showed that less than 23 percent of those surveyed reported use of illicit drugs in their lifetime, four percent of who did so in the preceding 12 months. Hallucinogens and cocaine are the illicit drugs of choice, with 17 percent of respondents using hallucinogens in their lifetime, and 16 percent using cocaine.

At Sobriety.ca Foundation, we keep up-to-date on all the latest drug use and addiction research so that we can offer the best treatment. New research allows a better understanding of alcohol and drug addiction, resulting in better counseling, treatment, and aftercare, and, ultimately, a more successful recovery process.