Maison Dunham House

05/30/2026

You've been told to meditate.
-Journal.
-Do yoga.
-Cut sugar.
-Find your purpose.
-Heal your relationships.

And if you're dealing with both addiction and a mental health condition, that list gets twice as long and twice as overwhelming.

Here's the truth nobody talks about: you don't have to do all of it.

We just published a new blog post that breaks down why there's no universal formula for dual diagnosis recovery, and what the research actually says about building a path that works for you specifically.

Read it at the link below. 👇

Managing both addiction and a mental health condition? Learn why personalized dual diagnosis care, not generic wellness advice, leads to lasting recovery. Serving English-speaking clients across Quebec.

05/29/2026

Very few people wake up one day and decide that they need to deny how difficult their situation truly is.

This is not about being weak. This is not about being obstinate.

This is our brains' natural response when faced with anything that feels too enormous, frightening, and/or shameful.

For those with an alcohol or substance abuse problem, acknowledging the problem feels like a huge leap from the proverbial cliff edge. And when the accompanying problems include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and/or PTSD, the same instinct comes into play.

Deny it. Overcome it. Ignore it. Wait for it to disappear.

Because these conditions tend to feed each other, making it extremely difficult to even begin looking for ways out.

We at Dunham House can tell you that denial is often involved here.

It does not mean that recovery isn't possible , only that the person has yet to find themselves in a place where they feel comfortable attempting to get better.

But remember: if you can relate to any of this, you are far from alone.

And here's a question: What is one misconception regarding seeking help for your problems that really bothers you?

05/27/2026

Your internet connection is faster than any other in the history of mankind.

You can order your dinner without needing to interact with a single living human being.

You can access any film that was ever made instantly through your computer for the price of $10 per month.

And still, many people feel like they are just about to fall apart.

As an article released by Psychology Today states this week, the current anxiety that millions experience today does not have anything to do with the internal problems people may have developed – rather, it could be a completely natural reaction to a world full of constant comparison and consumption and striving towards perfection.

(https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-architecture-of-desire/202605/we-have-more-than-ever-so-why-are-we-so-anxious)

The number of decisions you need to make, the amount of information at your fingertips, the need to be constantly striving towards excellence , that is just too much even for the nervous system built to detect threats around us. And for people who struggle with addiction and/or mental disorders, the background noise will not just go away by itself.

The bravest decision one can sometimes make is that of taking a break from it all long enough to listen to their inner voice.

This is what a residential treatment setting allows for.

05/25/2026

Have you heard that symptoms of thyroid problems are often very similar to those of depression or anxiety?

Today is World Thyroid Day, which provides us with a perfect opportunity to mention something that we come across all the time when treating dual diagnosis.

Physical issues, which impact mood, concentration, and energy levels, are frequently forgotten if a patient seeks treatment for addiction.

Substance abuse is addressed, while the actual problem behind it is ignored.

Dunham House residents always go through a detailed medical intake exactly for this reason.

Any co-existing conditions, whether they are psychological or physiological in nature, should be taken into account.

Otherwise, a lot of things will stay unresolved.

Is there anything you would want everyone to understand better about the relationship between physical and mental health?

05/24/2026

If you've ever felt like you've tried everything and nothing sticks, there might be a reason for that.

Addiction rarely travels alone.

And treating only the addiction, without addressing what's driving it, is incomplete care.

Our latest blog post breaks down dialectical behaviour therapy, one of the evidence-based tools we use at Dunham House for people navigating both addiction and mental health at the same time.

Click here if you want to read it :

DBT helps people manage emotions, tolerate distress, and build healthier relationships. Learn how Dunham House uses it in dual diagnosis treatment.

05/22/2026

We are looking forward to presenting!

Maison Dunham House is our Lunchtime Series topic on THURSDAY, May 28 at 12:30 pm.

Patricia Goldman, the Montreal-based Director of Admissions and Outreach for Dunham House, is our guest speaker.

Dunham House, located in Dunham in the Eastern Townships, is Quebec’s only English-language residential treatment centre specializing in addiction and concurrent mental health disorders.

There's no registration process for in-person attendance. It's first come, first seated. Atwater Library’s Adair Auditorium (accessible by elevator).

To REGISTER for the Zoom link, please fill out and submit the online registration form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-hTSkxnCAqPKSdBigc0lMPoJWz89e6drLlv2CcWUoCc/viewform?edit_requested=true

05/21/2026

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

Why does this phrase continue to come up in our posts time after time?

Because it gets to the root of one of the biggest obstacles standing in the way of seeking help.

The guilt over past mistakes. The worry about the days ahead. Both of which seem incredibly overwhelming.

But the power to heal?

That already exists. It doesn’t need to be created; it simply needs to be unlocked and allowed to thrive within the proper clinical environment.

That’s what treatment at Dunham House is meant to accomplish.

Treating the disease of addiction along with the mental state that fuels it because the two often go hand-in-hand.

Do you know someone who needs to hear this? If you do, please share!

05/18/2026

Many believe that recovery occurs in the clinical setting.

However, the evidence shows that recovery in the workplace is much more prominent than thought before.

The average cost of replacing one worker in Canada today exceeds $30,000.(https://www.expresspros.ca/newsroom/news-releases/news-releases/2026/01/employee-turnover-is-getting-more-expensive-for-canadian-companies)

It is enough just to look at the figure above to reconsider the way employers treat their staff who go through the recovery process.

Even small gains in retention and lower absenteeism mean substantial costs saved by companies.

Workplace recovery-friendly approach is beneficial not only for employees but also for businesses.

It involves such aspects as the willingness to employ despite gaps in employment, flexibility in terms of attending meetings and creating a climate where people could openly state "I have a problem, will you help me?".

It could be the crucial factor that decides whether or not a person stays in recovery.

At Dunham House, we understand that treatment is a key element.

However, the place where a person returns is important as well.

Employment, stability and purpose play an integral part in long-lasting recovery.

What would you consider most important in a workplace for someone returning from treatment? 💙

05/17/2026

To admit you need help is one of the hardest things one will ever do.

Have you ever wondered if your troubles were big enough for you to require residential treatment?

If yes, then you are not alone. Almost everyone asks themselves such questions before seeking help.

We put this together for those who are thinking about taking a step forward, learning more about residential treatment, or those who have started but failed because of fear, costs, or any other concerns.

This article explains the 5 indicators for seeking help, obstacles encountered in seeking such services, and the exact steps that come next once you contact us.

Again, no pressure. We are here to provide information to help make decisions for yourself or a loved one.

Check out the article : https://www.dunhamhouse.ca/blog/when-should-you-consider-residential-treatment

05/15/2026

May 15th -International Day of Families

When someone you love is struggling with addiction, the whole family struggles.

-You reorganize your life around their appointments.
-You learn new vocabulary.
-You become an expert in something you never wanted to know anything about.
-You lie awake wondering if you did enough, said the right thing, showed up the right way.

Todays is International Day of Families and it's is a good reminder that families don't just watch recovery from the sidelines.

They are part of it. The worry, the grief, the small victories, the setbacks , all of it lands on everyone in the home.

At Dunham House, we see this every day.

Families who are exhausted and scared and still showing up.

That kind of love matters. It is part of what makes recovery possible.

If your family is navigating this right now, you are not alone.

What's one thing you wish more people understood about loving someone through addiction?
Drop it in the comments.