In Prince Edward Island someone in need of immediate help with his/her addiction can be admitted to a detox facility with as little as a one or two day waiting period. This stay usually lasts between three and seven days. However, this solution only provides a one week reprieve from a life-long problem. In order to deal with the underlying addiction, more in-depth treatment is necessary after detox, and this is not always such an easy process. In order to be admitted to one of the government-sponsored residential programs one must first appear in person to have an assessment done and then be recommended to one of the facilities, where there is an average of a two to four week waiting period, and one must have been abstinent from all drugs and alcohol for at least one week prior to being admitted.

There are approximately 4,800 Prince Edward Islanders in need of detoxification, intervention, and drug rehab or alcohol rehab programs, coupled with ongoing after care. There is one detox facility and an additional four residential facilities, each of which can accommodate approximately 40 addicts, bringing the total number of available government-funded beds to approximately 160, to be divided amongst the 4,800 that need treatment. Of the five facilities located in Prince Edward Island, two are outpatient programs that offer very little support to alcoholics and addicts. There is scarcely enough treatment to make a serious dent in the current addiction problem plaguing this province.

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In Canada studies have been conducted by the The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) which relay the following rather alarming facts regarding addiction to drugs or alcohol. Approximately 4,000 or 2.9 % of Prince Edward Islanders are binge drinkers, who regularly consume a harmful amount of alcohol and are dependent on alcohol. The same studies indicate that 0.6% or 800 Prince Edward Islanders are dependent on illicit drugs. Being that Prince Edward Island is a province but at the same time an isolated Island community, depending on where a person lives he or she may be required to travel some distance in order to receive addictions services. In PEI, an addict's options are limited. For example, there is only one withdrawal management facility on the entire Island.

Addiction Services on Prince Edward Island are delivered by the five Regional Health Authorities across PEI on an outpatient basis. These services include outpatient detox and rehab, after care, early intervention, family programs, adolescent programs and smoking cessation programs. Inpatient Services are delivered at the Provincial Addictions Facility in Mount Herbert. These services are inpatient detoxification and rehabilitation. Clients may be admitted to inpatient services at the provincial facility at any time of the day or night. The length of stay is based on the client's needs. Withdrawal management is provided by an addictionologist and addictions nurses. Outpatient detox is available to clients with less severe addictions and who are experiencing minimal withdrawal. The program is available in the five Health Regions and implemented by trained Addiction Nurses. Outpatient detox allows people suffering from alcohol and other drug dependencies to participate in treatment and remain in their own homes. The Outpatient program offers flexibility for people with personal commitments that make attending a residential program difficult.