Founded in 2009 by Marcel Gemme, DRS, which stands for Drug Rehab Services, is a substance abuse resource that’s completely free. We began our endeavor about 15 years ago, with the goal to educate people about addiction and connect them to the treatment resources they need. We’ve done this by compiling one of the largest and most complete directories of drug and alcohol rehabilitation services in Canada.
Many of us at DRS have personally recovered from substance abuse, gaining invaluable experience and knowledge that separates us from others in the field. This allows a level of care and compassion that we believe shows in our work.
The DRS team is a close-knit group made up of compassionate individuals and addiction professionals. Let our family save yours.
Our Commitments
Commitment to Ethics
At DRS, we are committed to helping you find quality substance abuse information and treatment resources. That means not forwarding false information and only listing programs that we would refer one of our loved ones to. Because of this, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands when working with us. Be wary of programs that offer a quick-fix approach or immediately try to find out how much money you have. Both of these are signs that the facility doesn’t have your best interests at heart. If something sounds too good to be true, then it usually is. While we do our best to never list programs like these, it’s still vital to talk to a facility directly and to ask questions before making your final decision. The field of substance abuse treatment is ever-changing.
Commitment to Quality
The DRS team of addiction professionals has over 50 years of combined experience in the field of substance use and addiction recovery. They use this experience when assessing each service listed in our directory. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any of the listings in our directory, you can contact the team directly at Quality@drugrehab.ca. We will utilize your feedback to make any necessary updates to our list of services. This email is used for administrative purposes only and should only be used if you have questions about the content on the website. For help for yourself or a loved one please call the helpline or fill out the contact form above.
What Happens When You Call Us
When you call DRS, you get a real person. Our rehab specialists listen to what’s going on with you and take the time to help you make the selection that’s right for you. You don’t have to call DRS to use our website and find treatment, but we’re here for you if you need help with the process.
We recognize that people who are looking for treatment are in a crisis. If someone hasn’t been through the process before, finding rehab can be overwhelming and confusing. We take whatever we can off your shoulders by asking the right questions and getting you the answers, you need. This is your decision, but we can help you arrive there.
You can expect that the person who answers your call will be calm, caring, and knowledgeable about addiction and treatment. They’re going to want to know about your history, but the call is 100% confidential and protected by law. You aren’t committed to making any decision and are free to just ask questions and gain some more knowledge if you don’t feel ready yet.
We will go over your options with you and refer you to treatment centers that are the best fit for your needs. Since we’re not affiliated with any one treatment center, you’ll have the best options in the field to choose from.
Our Philosophy
DRS is committed to connecting our users to the best possible substance abuse and addiction recovery resources. Our main purpose in doing this is to give someone an opportunity to have a life free from all chemical dependencies. It is our philosophy that, whenever possible, an individual should get to a point where they are completely free from all drugs.
The mental toll of substance abuse and the symptoms of drug withdrawal are very similar to many other mental health issues. Due to this observation, we endorse a treatment approach that tries to get an individual off all drugs.
We are aware that in certain cases it is medically necessary to prescribe medications for an individual to safely come off of drugs. Other than this specific utilization, our site refrains from listing centers that regularly prescribe medications.
The process of rehabilitation, by definition, aims to restore someone back to health or a normal life. Through the collective experience of our staff, we have witnessed countless transformations of individuals plagued by addiction. We feel this approach gives the individual the best chance at true rehabilitation.
We understand that many centers have different ideologies when it comes to recovery and treating substance abuse. It’s not that these methods can’t be effective, they just do not align with our philosophy.
For a deeper understanding of our philosophy, see Our Philosophy page.
DrugRehab.ca Website
DRS specifically list programs on DrugRehab.ca that we believe give people the best chance to succeed, programs where we would refer a loved one. We have substance abuse rehab specialists on standby, waiting to help connect people with the right treatment resource for them. This is done through an over-the-phone drug and alcohol assessment that’s also free of charge.
This is where we can provide direction and support for both the person struggling with addiction and their family. No one is alone in this.
Our Directory
Our database is regularly updated and includes 70+ types of services that can be searched by province or city. We also provide a wide range of information about substances of abuse, types of treatment, intervention, and many FAQs. DRS is also proud to feature qualified professionals who work with us to ensure that you’re given the most accurate, up to date information possible.
Selecting a Drug Treatment Provider
If you don’t want to call us, you’re welcome to use our site’s directory to help you find treatment. There are many different ways to search through our directory so that you can find exactly what you’re looking for. For instance, if you prefer a gender-specific type of treatment, you can search by gender and age. These features allow for ease of access in a way that’s unmatched in the industry.
Finding the right program is vital. Selecting something because it seems the easiest or fastest is a deadly trap to fall into. Try looking for what makes you uncomfortable. This way, you can’t be manipulated by your addiction into choosing what will ultimately give you a way out. We often suggest choosing a location far from home, or a method of treatment you haven’t tried before. These simple factors can make the difference between someone completing treatment successfully, and another relapse.
Our Team
Marcel Gemme - Founder and CEO
For over 20 years, Marcel Gemme has dedicated his life to helping people overcome addiction and rebuild their lives. His journey began in 2000 as an intake counselor at a drug rehabilitation center, where he saw firsthand how overwhelming and isolating the recovery process can be. Determined to reach more people than he could one-on-one, Marcel launched his first addiction resource website in 2004. As the need for reliable information and ethical guidance grew, he founded Drug Rehab Services (DRS) in 2009 and created Drugrehab.ca, now one of Canada’s leading hubs for substance use resources.
Marcel’s vision for DRS is built on three pillars, education, prevention, and rehabilitation, reflecting his belief that recovery begins with understanding and compassion. Over the years, his work has helped thousands of families find trustworthy information, ethical treatment options, and renewed hope for recovery.
Nicole Landry - Director of Finance
Since the inception of DRS, Nicole Landry has been an integral part of its mission to help individuals and families overcome life’s challenges with compassion and understanding. Married to founder Marcel Gemme, she spent over 15 years working as a counselor, providing guidance and practical solutions to life’s challenges. Her experience also includes several years as a counselor in a rehabilitation center, where she witnessed the life-changing impact of recovery firsthand. This inspired her to expand her reach and dedicate her career to addressing addiction on a broader scale as DRS’s Director of Finance.
Deeply humanitarian and family-oriented, Nicole believes in creating meaningful change that extends beyond her work. She is passionate about helping others and is driven by the vision of building a better future for her daughters and granddaughters, one rooted in empathy, education, and the belief that every person deserves the chance to heal and thrive.
Michael Leach, CCMA - Web Content Specialist
Michael Leach is a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant who has worked in addiction treatment for nearly a decade. Before joining DRS, he served as Director of Rehabilitation at New Life Retreat in Louisiana and trained under board-certified Internal Medicine physician Dr. Rohit Adi. His background includes working directly with patients through detox and withdrawal, supporting families, and managing treatment programs with an emphasis on safety and quality care.
Having overcome addiction himself, Michael brings rare insight and empathy to his work. He understands the challenges of recovery from both sides, as a former patient and as a professional. This dual perspective allows him to bridge the gap between those seeking help and the clinicians who provide it. Today, Michael uses his clinical expertise and leadership experience to strengthen DRS’s educational content.
Marie Garceau - Website Quality Manager
Marie Garceau has been part of DRS since its early days, driven by a lifelong passion for helping others. Over the years, she has played a key role in the growth of the company and has witnessed firsthand how accessible information and compassion can change lives. Her dedication and leadership have helped DRS grow from a small team into a trusted voice in the addiction recovery field.
Known for her organization, precision, and problem-solving mindset, Marie thrives on improving systems and finding innovative ways to serve the community. She’s passionate about staying ahead of technological change and ensuring DRS continues to evolve to meet people’s needs. When she’s not working, Marie enjoys painting, building projects, walking, and spending time with her daughter, Elora: her greatest inspiration.
Karine Gemme - Website Quality Manager
Karine Gemme joined DRS in 2017 as Website Quality Manager, where her strong attention to detail and ability to quickly learn new systems help ensure accuracy, reliability, and consistency across all online resources. Her commitment to maintaining high standards supports DRS’s goal of providing trustworthy information to those seeking help.
Claudia Gemme - Website Developer
Claudia Gemme joined DRS in 2017 and has since advanced to Website Developer, overseeing both the Addicted.org and SUPE (Substance Use Prevention Education) websites. Combining her technical expertise with creativity, she has contributed to the SUPE curriculum through animation and video editing. Passionate about innovation, Claudia uses technology as a tool to inspire awareness, education, and positive change.
Vicky Gemme - Public Relations Coordinator
Since 2017, Vicky Gemme has served as Public Relations Coordinator for DRS, dedicated to promoting awareness and building community connections. Guided by her belief in creating a better world through service, Vicky volunteers much of her free time to support local initiatives and continues to strengthen DRS’s outreach and educational efforts.
Our Professional Contributors
Nickolaus Hayes - Author
Nickolaus Hayes has spent over 15 years researching and writing about substance use disorders, combining professional insight with lived experience. In recovery himself, Nickolaus turned his own experience into purpose, dedicating his career to helping individuals and families better understand addiction, treatment options, and recovery pathways.
He began his career at the same rehab center where he received treatment, working as an intake counselor and helping families navigate the often-confusing treatment process. His contributions to Addicted.org continue to serve readers seeking clear information on addiction and recovery.
Jan Rader - Specialist Reviewer
Jan Rader spent 27 years with the Huntington Fire Department in West Virginia, becoming the first woman to lead a career fire department in the state and a national voice on America’s opioid crisis. Since stepping down as fire chief in 2022, she has served as Director of the Huntington Mayor’s Council on Public Health and Drug Control Policy. Her career has taken her from responding to overdose calls in the field to testifying at the federal opioid trial, appearing in the Oscar-nominated Netflix documentary Heroin(e), and being named to TIME’s 100 Most Influential People list in 2018. She built the Quick Response Team model that visits overdose survivors within 72 hours to offer treatment options, an approach since studied in peer-reviewed research and replicated across the country. Under the combined community response work she helped lead, Huntington’s overdose deaths dropped 50%. Her reviews on Addicted.org focus on opioid-related content, informed by decades of frontline experience with the epidemic and its impact on communities.
DisCLaimer
All the information on our website is informative only and is made by non-medical authors. They do not replace any medical advice or diagnosis made by a health professional. The content of this website comes from the experience of the authors or a third party who in this case will be mentioned at the end of the text as the source website.
There a few instances where authors are mentioned with their credentials. They are 3rd party experts providing information on a specific subject. This content is subject to the DrugRehab.ca Disclaimer.
We do not endorse or are not part of any treatment facilities or meetings found on this website. Our company accepts no liability with anything that can happen during treatment or a meeting.
This website is intended to be used by anyone with an addiction problem, any person that has a relative struggling with an addiction and needs the advice to get them help. It is intended for the general public, students, and anyone looking for help.
DRS receives fees from 3rd party counselors for internet exposure to potential patients for drug and alcohol addiction treatment. There are also publicity ads that are sold on DrugRehab.ca by a third party (Gemme marketing). These ads are sold to addiction services companies in Canada. Gemme Marketing approves the ads of all addiction services before being live on DrugRehab.ca. The cost of the ad depends on the keyword and location chosen. All ads respect Google standards in the format of the ad itself. DRS does not accept ads that sell or promote subjects such as weapons, pornography, drugs, violence, dating sites.
The sources of funding do not influence in any way the editorial content of the website. DRS does not provide any links of interest mentioned that are made by health professionals involved in creating in our service. The editorial content of our service is not influenced by our advertising.