Union Gospel Mission Recovery Program

The Union Gospel Mission (UGM) Recovery Program is a long-term, faith-based residential program for men located at 601 East Hastings Street in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. One of the most established recovery programs in Metro Vancouver, UGM has served Vancouver’s most vulnerable men for decades through a holistic, Christian-centred approach to addiction recovery. The Recovery Program provides a structured, abstinence-based residential environment where men dealing with alcohol and drug addiction can find stability, community, and the spiritual foundation for lasting change.

Long-Term Residential Recovery with Twelve-Step Programming

The UGM Men’s Recovery Program is a long-term residential program grounded in the Twelve Steps and a genuine commitment to total abstinence from all mood-altering substances. Residents begin in shared rooms and may progress to single-room accommodations as they advance in the program — a tangible acknowledgment of growth and increasing responsibility. Individual and group substance abuse counselling, faith-based programming, and holistic approaches address addiction to alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioids from multiple angles. The program’s length provides the time needed for deep, sustainable transformation rather than surface-level stabilization.

Holistic Care and Faith-Based Community

UGM’s recovery approach is holistic in the truest sense — addressing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health as interconnected components of lasting sobriety. A fitness facility on site supports physical wellness and the establishment of healthy routines. Spiritual development, peer community, and a structured daily schedule provide the framework within which men rebuild their lives. The Christian faith tradition that underlies UGM’s mission shapes the culture of the program without excluding those of different backgrounds — what matters is a genuine commitment to change.

Aftercare and Reintegration Support

Completing the residential program is just the beginning. UGM provides aftercare support and recovery coaching to help graduates maintain sobriety and successfully transition back into community life. The mission’s long-standing presence in Vancouver means that UGM graduates have access to an extensive network of alumni, mentors, and community connections. For men on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside who are ready to leave addiction behind, UGM’s Recovery Program offers one of the most comprehensive and enduring recovery communities in the city.